Designated time allotments for the various course offerings of the elementary schools have evolved with little research showing that present time allotments are the best possible. The problem of this study was to determine the relationship between varying lengths of class periods and pupil achievement in reading, arithmetic, and language. Mental…

To establish the relationship between reading ability and teacher turnover, a simultaneous evaluation model based on recent data from the San Diego School District was developed. A two-stage least squares estimation procedure was employed, modified by the introduction of three exogenous variables: percent of students from poor backgrounds, sex of…

The study was designed to probe the changes that might occur in achievement test results if test items were made easier to read. The rewording of the test, the cross-validation of items by a panel, and the application of readability formulas to the reworded test gave, in theory, a comparable instrument. By agreement of readability formulas (Dale…

The functional relationship between levels of academic survival skills (class behavior) and academic reading achievement of low-achieving students was investigated. Ss were 18 first grade children from three regular classes, one of which was designated as control (N=6) and the other two as experimental (N=12). Teachers were trained in the use of…

This article examines the incidence of academic deficiency and functional illiteracy among offenders in a postsecondary prison education program. A descriptive analysis was conducted using aptitude test scores on reading, math, and language from 488 students in a medium security prison in Ohio. Results are presented and analyzed. (CT)

Explains how a comparison portfolio can illustrate a student's progress by contrasting performances from the beginning and end of the school year. Notes that the portfolio should include standardized test scores, informal assessments, student writing samples, voluntary reading program reports, self assessments, and samples of class reading…

Examination of the relationship between educational attainment and long-lasting, bilateral otitis media with effusion (OME) in 270 Dutch children (ages 2 to 4) found that, at age 7, early bilateral OME affected spelling ability but not reading ability. Effects of treatment with ventilation tubes were not found. (DB)

A study assessed the predictive value of kindergarten teachers on 234 pupils for later first-grade academic achievement. Ratings of academic performance were significantly correlated with scores on outcome measures on math and reading ability. Results indicated high overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of the…

A study of 235 sophomore, junior, and senior business majors found that students with higher levels of reading comprehension and vocabulary had higher cumulative grade point averages, and that 16 percent of students could not read at the first-year college level. Basic skills reading tests administered to entering freshmen may not identify all…

Although significant federal funds are tied to student assessment, public education in this country is the responsibility of individual states. Subsequently, it seems as if there are as many approaches to measuring student ability and achievement as there are states. We now live in an increasingly mobile society in which today's families move from…

This study examined the factors that constrain the working memory span performance and reading ability of individuals with generalized learning difficulties. In the study, 50 individuals with learning difficulties (LD) and 50 typically developing children (TD) matched for reading age completed two working memory span tasks. Participants also…

Reading scores earned by 286 fifth-grade pupils taking the California Test of Basic Skills were used in a study examining the relationship between reading achievement and birth order and related family factors. Vocabulary scores were significantly related to birth order, family size, and socioeconomic status. Comprehension scores were…