This study investigated the effects of classroom composition on achievement. The analysis focused on the assessment of classroom homogeneity with respect to the socioeconomic background and general intelligence of the students. In addition, the extent to which classroom composition affects the standards the teachers employ and how these standards…

A study investigated the effects of sex and grade in school on students' reading proficiency, students' beliefs about their reading, parents' beliefs about the students' reading, and teacher's beliefs about the students' reading. The study also examined causal relationships between student, parent, and teacher beliefs and students' reading…

This planning guide is intended to facilitate flexibility in meeting the needs of under-represented groups in Florida programs for gifted students. An introduction defines these students (racial or ethnic minorities, limited English proficient, or from a low socioeconomic background), lists the required components of a district plan for increasing…

This study sought to locate excellent readers and excellent reading courses among majors and courses chosen by college freshmen at three postsecondary institutions: a private, residential, suburban, four-year liberal arts college with religious affiliation; a two-year public (commuter) community college outside the same metropolitan area; and an…

The attitudes of principals toward ability grouping in the public schools of South Carolina were studied, emphasizing the degree to which principals feel that ability grouping contributes to the quality of education. Also examined were differences in attitudes of elementary school and secondary school principals (black and white, male and female,…

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students in the United States know and can do in various academic subjects. The 1996 NAEP in mathematics assessed the current level of mathematical achievement as a mechanism for informing education reform. In 1996, 44…

This paper discusses the challenges of identifying gifted students from underrepresented or special populations. Reasons for underrepresentation of students from special populations are reviewed and include biases in standardized testing, underreferral of students from diverse cultural and ethnic groups to gifted programs by teachers, and the…

This book describes the nurturing of a variety of learning styles through the use of the Logo programming approach, especially for persons with special needs. The book interweaves case descriptions of microcomputer uses with theoretical analysis, to provide educators with a framework for thinking about their students' thinking. Descriptions of the…

In 1988 the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld a previous decision that the state public education system had failed to provide an efficient system of common schools. The Kentucky Educational Reform Act (KERA, 1990) came from this decision. This paper reviews the restructuring of a primary school under the KERA, focusing on one collaborative effort…

This study investigated the ability of preservice secondary school history and social studies teachers to transmit knowledge of the subject to students through methodologies designed to translate theory into practice. Participants in the study were 23 student teachers certified to teach history and social studies by Washburn University (Kansas)…

This book on effective curriculum for gifted students begins with an introduction that discusses gifted education's use of the special education model and implications of current educational reform. Part 1, "General Issues in the Design and Development of Appropriate Curricula for the Gifted," then explores scope and sequence in curricula for the…

The changing nature of immigration, the job market, and the world economy preclude today's immigrants from full participation in the culture because they are without adequate education. This paper provides insights into one group of students that is most likely to have problems in school: immigrant pre-literate adolescents. It describes the…

To determine if differing ability levels will affect the acquisition of problem-solving skills and self-esteem as a result of participation in two approaches to teaching problem-solving skills, a study was conducted with sixth graders in a posttest-only control group experimental design. Subjects were 102 sixth graders randomly assigned to 5…

This book provides theoretical and practical information to meet the challenge of individualizing instruction for gifted and talented adolescents of different learning styles and different cultural backgrounds. Part 1 consists of six chapters that present the broad theoretical background of giftedness and learning style. It includes the following…

The numbers of culturally and linguistically diverse students in classrooms at all levels of study are increasing dramatically. In addition, the available information indicates that in general they are not performing well scholastically. Five articles address this issue; they are remarks from a 1992 symposium of members from the Teachers of…