This set of 10 fact sheets (each 2 to 4 pages long) addresses aspects of Reading Recovery, a program that helps children to be proficient readers and writers by the end of the first grade. It discusses the basic facts of Reading Recovery; Reading Recovery for Spanish literacy; Reading Recovery lessons; Reading Recovery professional development;…

The stereotype threat theory of C. Steele (1992, 1997) attempts to explain the underperformance of minority students in academic domains and of women in mathematics. Steele asserts that situational self-relevance of negative group stereotypes in testing situations increases the anxiety these students experience, and that these differential anxiety…

A problem was addressed within the context of the action based research practicum model. The problem was junior high school special education students who read at or below the 10th percentile when compared to age appropriate peers on standardized achievement instruments; and who have had all manner of reading interventions and yet continue to fall…

This report takes an in-depth look at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) teachers' responses to the high-stakes-testing initiatives and the impact on students' school experiences. It examines teachers and principals' assessments of the policy, tracks changes in instructional practice over time, and examines trends in critical student indices. The report…

Evaluates a program offered by the Los Angeles Student-Development Center as part of an intensive study skills curriculum for collegiate low achievers who had decided to continue their education, which focused on specific variables related to test anxiety. (JM)

Findings are discussed in the light of social-learning theory. (Authors)

A study explored the effects of classroom feedback and evaluation structure on students' attributional tendencies. Results suggest that the classroom feedback and evaluation system affect students' causal explanations of failure and success. (Author/CJ)

Describes the results of a study of three programs successfully teaching basic skills. Characteristics of successful schools include careful alignment of curriculum and instruction and grade-level instructional planning. (Author/JM)

Compared the assessments of 18 judges asked to use an array of information to differentiate learning disabled students. Found judges extremely inaccurate and in little agreement with each other. Different judges emphasized different factors. Results cast doubt on the ability of school personnel to identify learning disabilities accurately.…

Low-achieving freshmen students (N=96) were required to participate in an eight-week counseling/study skills program. Analysis of variance compared experimental and control groups on quarterly and cumulative grade point averages (GPA) and credit completion ratios (CCR). The intervention did not influence GPAs or persistence in college, but did…

Artificial cumulative folders were constructed for eight fourth grade boys and examined by teachers. Each folder contained varied information on previous misbehavior, race, and parents' educational attainment. Results showed that teachers were most influenced by comments concerning behavior when judging whether the student needed special…

Compressed speech research indicates that auditory aids may help poor readers. Low achieving sophomores were given the option of listening to tapes of their social studies text while reading. Results are presented on numbers choosing to use the tapes and those whose test scores improved. (SJL)