Reviews recent research on student achievement, self-concept, and curriculum and instruction showing the ineffectiveness of tracking and ability grouping. Certain court rulings show that tracking violates the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Innovative alternatives include cooperative learning, mastery learning, peer tutoring,…

Describes "talk-through" model of peer teaching in which student pairs are asked to verbalize their thinking processes as they work through a mathematical problem. Lists five benefits of using this method. (MDH)

Twenty general education teachers participated in a project that combined curriculum-based measurement (CBM) and peer tutoring (PT) for students with learning disabilities in the regular classroom. In interviews, the teachers specified a large number of academic, social, and instructional benefits of the methods, and they also identified several…

Describes a study in which elementary school students were required to collaborate in studying a hedgerow, producing boundaries and sketches. Results stress the importance of talk in learning. The hedgerow lesson presented an ideal situation for developing personal knowledge through the explanatory discussion of information with peers. (SM)

A list of reflective strategies that can be used in elementary science methods classes is presented and includes science education autobiography, critical incidents, reaction papers, scenarios, role playing/peer teaching, journal, instructor-student dialogue, and self-evaluation. The reflective approach to teacher education and science, a…

Describes Texas'"Enhancing the Quality and Retention of Minority Teachers and Teachers in Critical Shortage Areas Project" which uses peer coaching in teacher training, incorporating accountability, assistance, and professional development systems. Peer coaching helps support first year teachers by promoting their professional and…

Describes a federally funded peer mentoring project for faculty development at a rural two-year college. Presents three case studies of mentoring within a division, across divisions, and interdisciplinary mentoring. Includes mentor and mentoree narratives. Offers suggestions on initiating and structuring peer mentor projects, and describes…

The University of Missouri-Kansas City medical school, which offers a combined bachelor's-medical degree, created a first-year support program to help first-year students meet significant academic and developmental challenges. The program includes academic advising, learning skills assessment, peer and individual tutoring, career counseling, and…

At Arizona State University, English grammar classes were taught using elements of peer teaching and cooperative learning. Classes involved (1) student lectures explaining assigned readings; (2) daily quizzes; and (3) student grading of exams and quizzes. Positive aspects included student acceptance and attainment of a high level of mastery.…

Describes a practical experiment in which students prepared video materials to present to each other, the aim being to develop student autonomy in learning, class participation, motivation, and accuracy. The student feedback confirmed the success of the experiment; the rationale for this success is presented. (14 references) (GLR)

Examines the impact of friendship on the process and outcome of peer-tutoring in a study involving 90 Welsh 8- to 9-year-old children. Finds peer-tutors have difficulty coordinating the demands of tutoring tasks because of their limited cognitive resources. Also finds friendship imposes greater burdens on children's limited resources. (NL)

Discusses the value of writing assignments in mathematics instruction. Advocates informal, lengthy, nongraded writing as the best form of learning. Encourages the use of a learning log by students which is reviewed by both teachers and fellow students. Provides examples of short in-class mathematics writing assignments. (PAA)

Compared 16 fourth- and fifth-grade boys who participated in Discovery, developmental program in which students with history of inappropriate classroom behaviors acted as peer tutors for kindergarten students, to 16 control participants. Found no significant increase in moral development among Discovery participants but did find significant…

This cross-case analysis examined general education elementary-level teacher engagement with and effectiveness of "coaching," or expert consultation by special educators on effective teaching strategies. Factors resulting in high levels of impact on teaching and high levels of engagement were identified, including emphasis on conceptual…

This study evaluated a positive peer-reporting procedure on positive and negative peer interactions, peer acceptance ratings, and the daily problem behaviors of a 15-year-old boy with multiple behavior and social problems. Results suggested the procedure was effective in all three domains. Data collection and use is discussed in terms of a Level…