The Direct Instructional System for Teaching Arithmetic and Reading (DISTAR) was developed to provide beginning and remedial instruction to disadvantaged children. This paper describes the DISTAR reading program, noting its heavy emphasis on programmed learning and repetitive drill exercises; it then cites the opinions of proponents and opponents…

This study was designed to determine whether chronological age, the number of permanent teeth erupted, or the combination of the two would predict a child's readiness for formal arithmetic work. Sixty-four children were randomly chosen and three phases of testing conducted. The findings did not support the use of the number of teeth erupted as a…

This guide represents the final experimental version of a pilot project which was conducted in the United States between 1973 and 1976. The ideas and the manner of presentation are based on the works of Georges and Frederique Papy. They are recognized for having introduced colored arrow drawings ("papygrams") and models of our numeration…

BROUGHT TOGETHER HERE IS THE WIDELY-SCATTERED LITERATURE ON SELF-INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS AND DEVICES BY LEADERS, PAST AND PRESENT, IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT. S.L. PRESSEY IN HIS ARTICLES DESCRIBES THE APPARATUS, METHODS, THEORY, AND RESULTS ATTENDANT UPON USE OF HIS TEST-SCORING DEVICES. B.F. SKINNER IN HIS ARTICLES DEVELOPS THEORY, DESCRIBES MACHINES,…

Research and demonstration activities at the Juniper Gardens Children's Project at the University of Kansas involved studies in these areas: (1) an after school remedial classroom program, (2) inappropriate study behavior in class, and (3) demonstration activities which involved teacher and parent training. The effects of reinforcement…

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS DESIGNED TO ASSESS THE INFLUENCE OF AGE OF ENTRANCE INTO THE FIRST GRADE ON ARITHMETIC ACHIEVEMENT. THE SCORES ON ARITHMETIC ACHIEVEMENT TESTS WERE COMPARED FOR 378 LATE AND EARLY ENTRANT BOYS AND GIRLS IN THE FIRST TO SIXTH GRADES. THE LATE ENTRANTS WERE BETWEEN 8 AND 9 MONTHS OLDER THAN THE EARLY ENTRANTS. THEORETICALLY,…

This project's main objective in developing and implementing a computer-assisted instruction laboratory program in mathematics and initial reading was to individualize instruction so that each child could progress at his own pace through a subset of materials best suited to his aptitudes and abilities. This theory of instruction attempts to…

A two-part communication model for teaching elementary mathematics is proposed. Part I delineates symbols commonly used in teaching arithmetic. Parts of mathematical language (mathematical objects, relations, operations, expressions, and sentences) are compared to analogous parts of the English language. Part 2 is a conceptualization of strategies…

The development of social maturity, language, and arithmetic abilities was studied over a 3-year period in 103 mentally retarded children from high IQ (51-75) and low IQ (26-50) groups in special schools and special classes. Among findings were that the high IQ groups of both special classes and special schools showed much improvement over the…

This report describes comparative evaluations of the Distar I (first grade) and Distar II (second grade) programs which were carried out in 1972-1973. Results showed: (1) the Distar program for first grades had no conclusive advantage over traditional instruction for the development of oral language or reading achievement; and (2) second grade…

The purpose of the study was to determine what factors affect success in passing the General Education Development (GED) exam. Using data gathered between 1960 and 1972 from 200 successful GED students at the Mattoon Area Adult Education Center, Ill., the authors developed frequency distribution charts to characterize the students and scattergrams…

This article discusses the challenge mathematics educators face in deciding what and how mathematics is to be taught, and offers some suggestions for teachers of young children based on Piaget's developmental theory of mathematics. Piaget's cognitive stages are briefly described and the concrete stage, which spans the age range included in early…

Under contract with the United States Office of Education, RMC Research Corporation and its subcontractor, Learning Achievement Corporation, undertook a research and development program aimed at identifying compensatory education projects which had produced reliably measured cognitive achievement benefits in reading and/or arithmetic. Once…

Even after a number of innovative programs and proposals have met selective criteria, the Educational Research Commission will have a difficult task in assigning priorities and spreading resources. This paper offers many suggestions for handling the problems in research and evaluation related to innovative mathematics projects, especially K-3. For…

To modify behavior and teach basic skills and subject matter, 16 emotionally disturbed deaf boys were involved in a pilot project to enable them to return to regular classes. The program featured a small staff-pupil ratio, application of behavior modification techniques, engineered instruction, individualized self-instructional curriculum…