This independent evaluation of 2 commonly used approaches for accelerating reading achievement and reducing inappropriate special education referrals, Success for All (SFA) and Open Court, was conducted in 12 Title I schools in a large urban district in northern California. To compare the effects of these approaches, we collected data on 936 grade…

This study compared teachers' assumptions about students and effective teaching practices in low and high poverty schools. Attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and classroom practices of 476 teachers in 24 urban and suburban elementary schools throughout the United States were assessed with teacher questionnaires and classroom observations during a…

Attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and classroom practices of 476 teachers in 24 urban and suburban elementary schools were assessed with teacher questionnaires and observation. Teachers serving students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds put more emphasis on teacher authority and control and were more doubtful of student abilities. (SLD)

Evaluated the effectiveness of Book Buddies, a volunteer tutor program designed to improve young elementary students' reading and writing skills, using diverse older adult tutors and a rigorous experimental versus control group design in a high-poverty, urban setting. Overall, students participating in Book Buddies were significantly stronger in…

Effects of variations in a schoolwide restructuring program, Success for All, in Baltimore (Maryland) on student reading achievement and other outcomes in elementary schools with large numbers of disadvantaged children are presented. Strong positive effects of the intervention are recognized, and program replication is discussed. (SLD)