This study examined the role of dynamic assessment involving specific and general instructional strategies on expert and novice third graders' error patterns in solving part-whole mathematics word problems. The assessment showed that novices in general required more prompts than did experts. Experts in the specific strategy group had decreased…

Surveys how British primary schools group their students for different school subjects, such as according to class ability or mixed ability grouping. Finds that most schools used the class ability groupings, either in mixed or ability groupings. Includes references. (CMK)

Challenges common conceptions about disadvantaged learners, curriculum challenge and sequence, teacher role, the relationship of classroom management to academic work, and ability grouping arrangements. By striking a balance between teacher direction and learner responsibility, students' capacity for self-regulated learning increases over time.…

Characterizes the whole language movement in terms of its philosophical, political, and curriculum assumptions and consequences. Also, praises the movement for the good it has done; points out problematic features of the movement; and evaluates the likely legacy of the movement.(BB)

The progress of 138 elementary students with specific learning disabilities was followed as they were instructed using the Alphabetic Phonics curriculum. After 3 years, the curriculum produced significant progress in reading comprehension for average and above average students, though below average students did not advance substantially in…

A suit filed by Steven E. Wynne, who has dyslexia, against the Tufts School of Medicine charged that the school discriminated against him when it refused to provide a test that did not use multiple-choice questions. Tufts filed an appeal saying the decision is an encroachment on academic freedom. (MLW)

The relationships between mathematical competencies possessed by students and selected student characteristics at the beginning of a semester were examined. The relationship between test scores and the type of mathematics courses taken during the semester students were enrolled in an introductory biology course were also investigated. (Author/CW)

The Perception of Ability Scale for Students was administered to 29 intellectually gifted students and 71 average achievers in grade six in New Zealand. Gifted students held significantly higher ability perceptions in general ability, arithmetic, reading/spelling, and confidence. No differences were found in perceptions of school satisfaction and…

Reports on a study of student characteristics and the school organization to confirm the findings of previous studies on the importance of individual characteristics to track placement. Concludes that systematic differences among schools suggest that track placement is more complex than previous research has shown. (CFR)

Discusses how computer technology can help teachers use Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences to find strengths in each student, explaining how one teacher used Gardner's theory to develop her students' abilities when using a particular educational computer/videotape program. Suggestions for programs to develop the different intelligences are…

Examined the relationship between mental rotation ability and gender differences in Scholastic Aptitude Test-Math (SAT-M) performance among 760 talented preadolescents, college students, and high- and low-ability college-bound youths. Males outperformed females in both mental rotation and SAT-M for all three high-ability groups but not for the…

Discussion of creativity in writing focuses on a study of eighth graders that compared results of an expository writing assignment completed on word processors with the assignment using pencil and paper. Students' ability levels are considered, and revision processes are examined. (LRW)

Four studies involving 45 subjects found that children (ages 9-14) with nonverbal learning disabilities syndrome exhibited specific patterns of impairment in mechanical arithmetic and in psychosocial functioning, whereas children with poor performance in reading and spelling exhibited patterns of academic deficits (including arithmetic), but not…

The Coursework Cluster Analysis Model, a new analytical technique linking college curriculum to student achievement gains, can be used to identify effective general education course sequences for different student ability levels. This can help overcome the fragmentation associated with general education and enhance undergraduate study for a…

Explains the concept of least restrictive environment (LRE) and explores the ways in which it fits and does not fit gifted education. The paper discusses LRE as it relates to special education and to gifted students, investigates whether separate education hurts gifted students, discusses gifted students and the equitable society, and looks at the…