A conceptual overview of the Regression Discrepancy Model (RDM) for assessing discrepancy between intelligence quotient and achievement scores is offered. Six RDM goals are identified, and figures from a RDM computer output show basic outcomes. Strengths and weaknesses of the RDM are discussed, without the use of complex mathematical descriptions.…

Investigated differences in depressive symptomatology, attributional style, dysfunctional attitude, and social competency in 147 adolescents classified as learning-disabled-unsuccessful, learning-disabled-successful, nonspecial education-low grade point average, and nonspecial education-high grade point average students. Results suggest that…

Reviews conditions in the environment that put the children of Hispanic migrant workers at risk for developing physical and cognitive disabilities. These include inadequate environmental protection, poor housing, and lack of access to health care and community resources. Strategies to facilitate positive change for farm worker families and…

This case study of a second grader with emotional/behavior disorders and poor academic progress, especially in mathematics, demonstrates the use of functional assessment, development of a hypothesis, intervention development, and intervention evaluation. The case study also shows how functional assessment can be integrated into the classroom…

Reports on a study of the effects of training in the use of social and cognitive strategies on the learning outcomes of students in secondary mathematics education. Results with 511 Dutch students show the positive effects of teaching cognitive and social strategies, with particular benefits for low-achieving students. (SLD)

Responds to a case study in this issue that discussed the differing academic achievement of two at-risk college students. Suggests the need to look beyond the disability labels applied to students. Suggests considering cognitive motivational factors such as beliefs, goals, and expectations, as well as the results of previous institutional…

Evaluates the impact on college student retention of a University of Michigan program promoting student-faculty research partnerships premised on the fact that successful retention efforts integrate students into the university's core academic mission. A participant-control group design shows that partnerships are most successful in promoting…

Adolescents (n=18) with learning disabilities or low achievement were trained to use interactive dialogs to collaboratively plan and revise individually written opinion essays. Analysis indicated that, when compared with untrained controls, trainees improved significantly from pretest to posttest in clarity and cogency of their writing and…

An ethnographic study of two urban junior high schools in the beginning stages of school restructuring describes three culturally relevant teachers who create empowering educational experiences for low-achieving African American students. The restructuring process was not taking the wisdom of practice of these teachers sufficiently into account.…

The effects of performance feedback and social visibility on task performance and on incidental learning of peripheral stimuli were studied with 64 French male students, half high achievers and half low achievers. Both performance and allocation of attention were extremely sensitive to the consistency between students' past and present academic…

The regression-discontinuity design was used to study the cumulative effect of ability grouping in mathematics in Israeli junior high schools. Results from a final sample of 1,169 seventh graders show that placement in ability groups increases the gap between students at different grade levels. (SLD)

Examines four explanations for the low academic achievement of black and poor urban students: socioeconomic, sociopathological, cultural, and genetic. Acknowledges the merits of the first three, noting their specific weaknesses and limitations. Describes key characteristics of teachers who make a difference in reversing the cycle of despair and…

Describes development of an Experimental Astronomy Curriculum or Thinking Journey, based on a combination of Constructivism and Mediated Learning Experience. Results indicated the effectiveness of the Thinking Journey in promoting a process of positive change in the students' conceptualization of Earth, improving their knowledge of astronomy,…

Explores the portfolio process as an evaluation tool for authentic assessment of writing. Discusses (1) current literature related to use of portfolios; (2) the critical elements of the portfolio process; (3) their relationship to the authentic assessment of writing; and (4) effective ways of implementing individual educational portfolios for…

Investigated the developing metalinguistic capabilities of Hispanic primary school children who are becoming bilingual but whose English achievement is below average. Examines whether native and second-language vocabulary and degree of bilingualism contribute to performance on a bilingual task, and whether native- and second-language vocabulary…