Results of the comparison of 34 learning disabled and 37 low achieving fifth grade students on curriculum based assessment of reading, spelling, and written expression found significant differences between the two groups suggesting that norm-referenced tests which find no differences may reflect an inefficient procedure for confirming teacher…

This study of high- and low-achieving first graders assessed the effect of two mastery learning treatments on reading performance. Results are presented, and implications are discussed. (Author/MT)

Analysis of medical and educational status of 60 children (6-18 years old) with unilateral hearing loss revealed that approximately one-third had failed at least one grade. Nearly 50 percent had either failed and/or needed resource assistance. A subsample performed less well than hearing Ss on localization and syllable recognition tasks.…

It is felt that while the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale may be appropriate for certain segments of the adult population, it may be inappropriate for other groups such as those of low formal educational attainment. (Author/CT)

Argues that many problems encountered by low achieving students are generated in the classroom and that remedies should be sought in that setting. Offers two general approaches that teachers can use to increase feelings of inclusion and the likelihood of success for such students: creating a participation-conducive environment and providing…

Learning potential hypothesis and its applicability to hearing and deaf low-achieving students was examined in this article. Results indicate that learning potential procedures can be used effectively with the deaf. Implications for theory and future research are discussed. (Author/DF)

In blaming television for low test scores and poor academic achievement, critics ignore other, more compelling factors that should be addressed. The quest of educators should be for more and better ways to capitalize on the useful aspects of the child's viewing experience. (Author)

Three tests with increasingly more difficult sentence structures, developed for use with children at fourth-grade level or below in reading vocabulary and in mathematical computations, were administered to 30 eighth-grade Ss. Results revealed a significant difference between the test with greater syntactical complexity and the two other tests.…

To identify accurately students who might get into academic trouble, the authors began in 1971 to administer a battery of tests to incoming medical students each year. The tests were selected to measure traits and skills not necessarily related to grade point average yet logically important to success in medical school. (LBH)

Presents the recommendations of the Montgomery College (Maryland) study committee on how to restructure a community college English program to accomodate the increasing number of college students with poor reading and writing skills. (DC)

The purpose of this study was to identify factors related to the academic performance and retention of students who transferred to a four-year university. The population for this study consisted of 232 transfer students. Data were collected via questionnaire surveys and from existing records. Descriptive and correlational statistics were used to…

There are numerous reasons why students fail in science. These include lack of interest, truancy, failure to do homework, lack of organizational skills, lack of test taking skills, do not study or lack study skills, cannot comprehend the text, cannot make connections between what they learn in school and the real world, and teaching quality. This…

This report discusses challenges states face in working to increase the pace of reforms in standards, testing, and accountability and to ensure that tests are aligned with state standards and provide coherent information about student performance. It emphasizes challenges in turning around low-performing schools, including clearly identifying such…

This study explored the usefulness of a classroom assessment technique called the activity summary template. It is proposed that the activity summary template enables students to process and organize information learning during an investigation. This process will in turn help students to achieve greater learning outcomes. The activity summary…

This paper considers issues related to determining which students should attend summer school to bring their achievement up to standard. One of the first problems in selecting students who must attend summer school is determining the level of achievement students must meet. Determining the types of assessment that should be used, and possibly…