Investigated preservice and inservice teachers' beliefs and potential dispositions toward struggling students. The children's story, "Next Year I'll be Special," about a struggling student, was read to preservice and inservice teachers, then teachers wrote their prognosis for the next school year. Over half of the teachers felt the next year would…

Well-being was assessed in 568 low-achieving Dutch students (ages 7-15) by means of a self-image scale consisting of 39 statements and peer acceptance through sociometric nomination and rank-order procedures. Students in special education had a slightly better self-image and were more accepted by peers than low-achieving students in regular…

Explored differences between high- and low-achieving freshmen women on cognitive and psychological variables. Results support hypotheses that high achievers would have a more internal locus of control, be more cognitively complex, possess a higher academic self-concept, and report more confidence in their ability and effort than would students in…

Using linear discriminant analysis, two samples of Canadian high school students (n=929 and n=968) were tested using measures of self-concept, academic self-concept, and academic achievement. Academic self-concept was more effective than was academic achievement in differentiating between low-track and high-track students. (SLD)

The ontogeny of school failure (SF) was studied by examining characteristics of 112 first graders, 63 of whom were considered at risk for SF. Measures of achievement, intelligence, behavior, language, and learning potential were used with cluster analysis. Development of SF was a more complex phenomenon than unitary factors suggested. (SLD)

Examines the extent to which retaining low achieving students affects the average reading scores of the grade in which they are retained and the next higher grade. Analyzes data from one elementary school in Kansas City (Missouri). (FMW)

Developmental standard score scales produce unrealistic expectations for growth of low-achieving students only if the low-achieving students are tested in an inappropriate way. Examples illustrate the unrealistic nature of such score scales when applied to the testing of learning disabled and Chapter One students. (SLD)

This article examines factors contributing to low academic achievement among young adolescents and provides data documenting low achievement in 12- to 14-year olds. Strategies for improving this population's achievement are offered, taking into consideration factors contributing to low achievement, such as difficulty constructing wholes during…

This study evaluated 4 types of assessment with 74 fourth-grade students with and without learning disabilities (LD) in general education classrooms. Students with and without LD performed more strongly on the hands-on tasks than the paper-and-pencil measures; the facilitative effect of hands-on assessment was greater for students with LD and…

Describes the effects of ability-paired student interactions on achievement as fifth graders (n=83) worked on laboratory activities relating to balance. Results revealed that low ability student achievement is greater, they speak more words, exhibit less distracting behavior, and move blocks on the lever less when they are paired with a partner of…

This article proposes an experimental, output-oriented noncategorical alternative to traditional approaches to identification of students for special education. The "20/20 Analysis" identifies students showing the least (below twentieth percentile) and most (above eightieth percentile) progress toward educational objectives. Application in two…

A study of 2 groups of University of Kentucky medical graduates (319 high achievers and 276 low achievers) from 1964 to 1991 found more low achievers chose primary care specialties, especially in recent years. It is concluded that low achievers may have fewer career options available to them. More systematic recruitment and selection is…

Reports on observations of two middle school achievers and two low achievers during the research process to discover why high achievers utilize the teacher librarian more often. Discusses the findings that students' self-confidence plays a role and that observation and interaction with students have value in the teaching process. (two references)…

Phi Delta Kappa study collected data on over 21,000 students in grades 4, 7, and 10 in 275 schools in over 80 U.S. communities. Five risk factors emerged: personal pain, academic failure, family socioeconomic status, family instability, and family tragedy. Many teachers helped considerably with personal pain and academic failure problems,…

This article argues that poor reading achievement may be the result of restricted access to the kind of instruction that develops actively comprehending and achieving readers. Characteristics of low-achieving readers' instructional experiences are reviewed to support this argument. New approaches are called for in place of outdated beliefs about…