Argues that a fundamental characteristic of a democratic, pluralistic society is social institutions fair and open to all citizens. Discusses criteria for applying the principle of equality in judging equality of access to education. (CFR)

Maintains that cartographic research has long suggested that preschool and early elementary students possess advanced mapping behaviors. Reports on a study of the thematic mapping abilities of 74 second-grade students. Finds that the map tasks were appropriate for this age level and provides four recommendations for classroom instruction. (CFR)

This study assessed physically abused/neglected and nonabused/nonneglected children (n=206) at preschool and elementary school age to identify variables significantly affecting children's behavioral functioning. Behavioral functioning was most strongly differentiated by the sociocultural and family climate in which the child was raised, with…

Eighth-grade students in bilingual classrooms explored the geometric concepts of reflection and rotation within a computer-based, dynamic, instructional environment. With initial differences controlled, treatment groups performed significantly better on concept formation and spatial visualization than did control groups receiving conventional…

Describes a study that was conducted to investigate the influence of home computer ownership and use on the achievement of second- and fifth-grade students in a programing curriculum. The use of LOGO and BASIC programing curricula is discussed, and results are compared to those from an earlier study. (20 references) (LRW)

Argues that tracking students for instruction is usually neither equitable nor effective. Reviews what has been learned about tracking, considers impacts of these findings, and suggests new research to target needs of reformers more directly. Understanding and changing the norms and policies that buttress tracking is essential to reform. (SLD)

Describes a study of elementary school students that investigated a model of computer-based cooperative learning, the Cooperative Learning Intergroup Competition (CLIC) model, used in an interactive video. Highlights include ability grouping, gender differences, student opinions, and a comparison of results with those from other cooperative…

Explores academic self-efficacy of 382 male and 319 female Chapter 1 elementary school students using the Self-Efficacy for Academic Tasks scale. Factor analyses reveal no sex differences in factor structure. Verbal skills and compliance explain 66 percent of the covariation. Efficacy beliefs decline between second and fifth grades. (SLD)

This ethnography of eight lower-track classrooms in two schools gives insight into the operation of the tracking system, although it implicitly accepts tracking and does not face the injustice children experience as a result of lower-track placement. Broader structural reasons underlying the tracking system are not examined. (SLD)

Hamovitch's review misinterprets key aspects of the book and of cultural and curricular analyses in general. The book links the curricular dilemma in balancing individualized and standardized knowledge to the wider culture. It is not a defense of tracking, but rather a curricular and cultural examination. (SLD)

Considers educational technology's role in designing effective instruction. Instructional design that supports systematic determination of instructional goals and methods for accomplishing those goals and for assessing success requires consideration of four variables associated with instruction: (1) learner characteristics; (2) learning task; (3)…

This paper describes the home and school experiences of 12 children from bilingual (mostly Chinese/English) homes who, before beginning first grade, demonstrated advanced ability to comprehend written English. Results demonstrate that lack of fluency in oral English should not exclude children from advanced instruction in reading. (Author/JDD)

Describes a study that examined the extent to which different levels of instructional control and varied learner characteristics affected performance and time on task, using interactive video in a college biochemistry course. Prior knowledge and learner internality/externality are discussed, and interaction between learner ability and…

Discusses a study which examined state use of prereferral intervention for students with handicaps, determining whether specialized training in prereferral is provided in states promoting it. Survey results indicated that 34 state education agencies promoted prereferral intervention, and 49 percent of those implementing it were trained in…

This study of 28 girls (ages 2-19) with Rett Syndrome found profound handicaps in the intellectual and adaptive areas, according to standardized tests. Subjects seemed capable of learning some self-help skills at a basic level. The Cattell Mental Age was significantly negatively correlated with chronological age. (JDD)