Reports on a study of the effects of an aural-oral pitch matching training program on aural pitch discrimination among 96 sixth-grade string students. Finds that the students who used the TAP Pitch Master Machine made statistically significant gains in pitch discrimination. (CFR)

Examines current Adult Basic Education teaching and assessment methods in the United Kingdom and the United States to help define what constitutes success in adult basic literacy tuition. (SR)

A longitudinal analysis of the records of performance of cohorts of minority and nonminority students in two different undergraduate settings was used to determine the predictive validity of admissions tests and school rank in determining long range and short range outcomes for college students. It was also hypothesized that the performance of…

Much recent research into college writing has focused on syntactic measurements. Significant problems inherent in such use of these indices arise for their validity at and beyond the college level and center on the terms "maturity,""complexity," and "growth.""Maturity" has not been satisfactorily defined, nor has the level of competence been…

The relative effectiveness of a structured physical fitness program for fifth-grade students was compared with the effectiveness of the customary physical education activities. Students in the structured exercise program showed significant improvement in flexibility, strength, and endurance, and maintained gains during the summer. (Author/PP)

Reviews trends in high school graduation and college enrollment rates, and academic preparation and performance. Offers the following strategies for improving academic preparation and performance: (1) adequate skills preparation; (2) academic student support services; and (3) positive motivation. (BJV)

Examines research on schoolwide programs with the views of experienced practitioners in 21 highly regarded schoolwide projects under Chapter 1, to identify the principles guiding effective schoolwide programs. The framework that the most successful schools build on is described, and practices that future Title 1 schoolwide programs can adopt are…

This paper examines the potential influence of school reform policies on the high school dropout rate. We summarize a diverse set of reports on American education which recommend increasing academic standards in schools as a means for improving secondary school performance. We also describe our understanding of the processes by which youngsters…

The fifth of eight related documents, this booklet is part of a series of papers presented at the 1978 National Right to Read Conference examining issues and problems in literacy. In examining the issue of student accountability, this booklet first sets forth the prototypical case of pupil illiteracy and surveys the arguments that can be made for…

This booklet contains selected proceedings of the 1979 conference entitled "Competency Testing and Beyond: Improving Student Writing" held in Albany, New York. Topics covered in the 17 selections are: the "real" world and the teaching of English, what has been learned about competency testing in writing, the composing process, diagnosing student…

This paper investigates the need for the infusion of critical thinking instruction into the teaching of the journalistic practice of questioning. Given research done in the area of questioning, it seems probable that critical thinking instruction could enable students to employ self-directed thinking skills that would allow them to ask better…

This report provides a brief overview of efforts to establish standards, assess those standards, hold schools and students accountable for meeting the standards, and provide interventions to students who do not meet the standards. It argues that holding students accountable for passing standards' assessments is premature, that teachers should be…

This master's thesis describes the relationship between effective principalship and student achievement, school climate, and discipline. It also examines the connection between self-esteem and a principal's effectiveness, student achievement, and student behavior. The conclusion is that "the performance of the principal is a strong determinant of…

Establishing a solid standards-and-assessment system is only the first step toward the ultimate goal of bringing all students to the standards. But without this first step, all others will fall short. The paper explains the essential role of standards and assessments in improving student achievement and offers solutions to challenges districts…

Used meta analysis to synthesize research on the effects of interventions to improve mathematics achievement of students considered at risk for academic failure. Found that effective interventions included providing teachers and students with student performance data; using peer tutors; providing clear, specific feedback to parents on children's…