Investigated behavioral differences between high- and low-achieveing inner-city children (N=136) using the academic engaged time model. Findings suggested that high- and low-achieving inner-city children spend a large proportion of time engaged in academic tasks, with high achievers spending somewhat more time than low achievers. (WAS)

Research does not support the popular practice of homogeneous ability grouping. Students are placed in groups through diverse and questionable methods. Teachers usually instruct lower ability groups at a low cognitive level and expect little of students in these groups; poor attitudes and achievement often result. (PP)

Richard F. Thompson and Michael G. Southwell separately discuss William J. McCleary's article on reliability and validity problems in composition research (see EJ 210 755); Chris Madigan questions the data on composing processes of freshman writers reported by Sharon Pianko (see EJ 204 419); and C. T. Patrick Diamond examines the issue of the…

Convinced that today's high school youngsters generally are poorly prepared in mathematics, Michigan State University math personnel invited a number of practitioners to discuss causes and suggest ways to improve math achievement. (Author)

High, neutral, and low statements of success expectancy were paired with positive and negative success feedback statements in a reading comprehension experiment. Incongruent combinations such as high success expectancy--negative feedback produced higher comprehension than congruent combinations. Results were interpreted by arousal and attribution…

This paper explores in depth the possibility that learned helplessness and depression may explain the gap in academic performance between middle-class children and children from minority and poverty backgrounds. Emphasis is placed on Black Americans, because more data is available about this group. (Author/SJL)

First through sixth graders rated behaviors of teachers as they would treat a hypothetical male high or low achiever. Differential treatment was perceived across one-fourth of the teacher behaviors. In some cases, grade level and perceiver characteristics colored perceptions. (Author/RD)

The teacher who treats students equally will find that they progress at very different rates. But if the objective is to bring students to a common achievement level, it is necessary to treat them in unequal ways. Solving this paradox requires a definition of public schooling's purpose. (Author/SJL)

Formative data from a feasibility study describes the impact of two teacher education experiences on the achievement and attitude scores of low-achieving sixth-grade pupils who were taught a unit on functions by the teacher trainees. (Author/SD)

Asserts that Dewey's proposal that rich, engaged learning requires teachers to "psychologize" their subject matter, remains timely in today's education, especially given recent mathematics and science curricular reforms. The article contrasts his proposal with more subject-centered reforms, explaining how teachers must understand…

In light of the large and growing numbers of "low functioning deaf" adults who read at very low levels, this article reviews research related to transition for adolescents with disabilities, especially those who are deaf or hard of hearing. It argues for a greater emphasis on vocational and independent living skills in transition programs.…

Analyzes the complexity of attracting well-qualified teachers to struggling urban schools in impoverished neighborhoods, focusing on the impact of teacher quality on student achievement, the evidence that teachers regularly migrate out of low-performing schools, and the potential solution that lies in offering incentives to well-qualified teachers…

In this article, autonomous learning in foreign languages is defined and the steps for introducing it to Year 9 low-ability students and Year 10 high-ability students are described. (six references) (CK)

Longitudinal case study of reform efforts centering on the Talent Development Middle School model at low-performing, high-poverty middle school in Philadelphia. Finds that student gains in mathematics, science, and reading achievement at subject school exceeded that of students in comparable school. (Contains 19 references.) (PKP)

The work of anthropologist John Ogbu regarding success and failure in the education of minority students is detailed. Ogbu focuses on why some minorities are successful in school while others are not despite similar cultural, language, and poverty barriers. He believes in critically important differences between immigrant and nonimmigrant…