Materials from a symposium on teaching practices and reading problems are provided in this report. Following a description of the meeting and a copy of the agenda, the report presents seven symposium papers that discuss the following topics: (1) teacher preparation in reading, (2) reading and the deaf child, (3) teaching reading in social studies,…

This paper focuses on the nature and effectiveness of elementary transition classes (TCs) used by the Austin (Texas) Independent School District (AISD) as an alternative to retention to improve low achievers' achievement. Data were examined concerning the number and nature of TCs operating in the AISD during 1987-88; achievement progress of…

This report from the Consortium for Longitudinal Studies summarizes findings of current analyses of the educational outcomes of low-income, primarily black children who did or did not participate in experimental early education programs in the 1960s. Data from 11 research projects provided information on approximately 3,000 low-income children.…

This study examined language development as a precursor of maladaptive behavior in inner-city early adolescents. Participating were 256 adolescents from the graduation classes of 2000 and 2001 who had previously attended District of Columbia prekindergarten/Head Start and kindergarten. The sample was 98 percent African American and 56 percent…

This longitudinal study compared academic performance of Head Start and public school prekindergarten graduates at four educational transitions: (1) kindergarten; (2) first grade; (3) third grade; and (4) fourth and sixth grades. Participating in this study were students in an urban, minority school system providing both Head Start and…

Report on research from 18 states that concludes that high-stakes tests do not lead to higher student achievement. In addition, such tests can decrease student motivation to learn and lead to higher student retention and dropout rates. (Contains 2 figures and 21 references.) (WFA)

Discusses the philosophy behind the effects of placing at-risk kindergarten children in transitional first grade classes and suggests alternative practices. (BB)

A hierarchical modeling approach is used in studying the predictive validity of the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examination, a key aid in selecting students for secondary education. Results from 51 schools indicated a modest predictive validity for the examination, with school and student characteristics influencing results. (SLD)

Explored demographic characteristics and retention status of kindergarten children and curricular practices of kindergarten teachers. Retained children appeared to come from low-income, female-headed households; had no preschool experience; and were disproportionately from ethnic and language minorities. Teachers from high-retaining school sites…

First conducted during the 1987-88 school year, the Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) provides periodic data on public and private schools in the United States. The Student Records Questionnaire was added during the 1993-94 cycle of SASS to collect student-level data from public schools, private schools, and schools funded by the Bureau of Indian…

This report identifies changes that schools must make in their kindergarten and primary programs if they are to contribute to rather than hinder progress toward the achievement of school readiness for all children, as expressed in goal one of the America 2000 initiative. Schools need to: (1) implement developmentally appropriate curriculum,…

This study examined research from 1980 to 1992 that addressed characteristics of high school dropouts. Data from 32 empirical studies were synthesized into an integrative review. A list of the most common characteristics of high school dropouts was generated and the major policy issues related to dropping out were identified and addressed. Four…

An 8-year study of academic achievement, student performance, and education costs in rural northeastern Brazil investigated the presumption that students automatically perform better when more school resources are provided. Two main topics were examined: the success of EDURURAL, an educational intervention project in rural Brazil sponsored by the…

This general review of the relative merits of social promotion and retention examines research on the benefits of each, describes current strategies for resolving the policy dilemma involved, and considers issues raised by abolishing social promotion and establishing remedial programs. A summary of the history of the widespread adoption of the…

GENESYS is the GENeric Evaluation SYStem of the Office of Research and Evaluation, Austin (Texas) Independent School District. It is a method of streamlining data collection and evaluation for a variety of projects. GENESYS gathers data from the school system's data bases and reports the following information (characteristics and outcomes) on…