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…

The study reported here examined the long term impact of a bilingual program that was designed as a transitional program for children in elementary grades. A quasi-experimental design was used to compare two groups of Mexican-American tenth-grade students enrolled in a traditional high school where all subject matter was presented in English. The…

This cross-sectional study, which was designed to assist in the provision of appropriate educational alternatives for students, presents a profile of elementary students who were retained in first grade at Horseheads Central Schools, Little Falls, New York. The study group was the class of 1995-96, currently in grade 4. A total pupil population of…

The purpose of this follow-up study was to determine whether elementary school students who completed full-day/ everyday kindergarten in 1979 and 1980 exhibited any long term benefits. Data were collected from standardized tests, report cards, questionnaires, and interviews. Participants were third- and fourth-grade students (enrolled in the…

The 1982-83 school year was the second year of the New York City (New York) Public Schools Promotional Gates Program. Under this program students in grades four and seven who failed to attain their promotional criteria (in both reading and mathematics) were retained for a year of intensive remedial instruction. This report is the result of a…

This study compared the academic and social development of students who entered grade 1 very early (5:6 years or 5:7 years), in the mid range (5:8 to 6:3 years), and very late (6:4 years or older). The purpose of the study was to explore the hypothesis that the early grade 1 entrants would have continuing problems in both academic and social…

This completely revised and updated ASCD best-seller is loaded with ideas for how to improve student achievement and create a more effective classroom by applying brain research to your teaching. Renowned author and educator Eric Jensen translates the latest scientific findings into effective instructional strategies, including: (1) Why to start…

This collection of papers focuses on the economic aspects of education as follows: (1) "Introduction" (David H. Monk, Margaret Wang, and Herbert J. Walberg); (2) "Tax Revolts and School Performance" (Thomas Downes and David Figlio); (3) "State Aid and Education Outcomes" (Sheila E. Murray); (4) "The Interface…

This study analyzed data from statewide criterion referenced competency tests (CRCTs), used to determine whether a child is retained in grade, investigating whether trends and differences in scores across Georgia for students from similar family backgrounds could be linked to failing this test twice in elementary school. The study explored whether…

This study documented current early childhood assessment policies and practices, focusing on changes since the 1988 nationwide survey and on changes occurring in response to Goal 1 of the National Education Goals, performance assessments, and integrated services for young children. Data were collected through telephone surveys and in-depth…