With a randomized field experiment of 433 preschoolers, we tested a tablet mathematics program designed to increase young children's mathematics learning. Intervention students played Math Shelf, a comprehensive iPad preschool and year 1 mathematics app, while comparison children received research-based hands-on mathematics instruction delivered…

Research Findings: Effective preschool mathematics instruction is especially important for low-income children. Previous research demonstrates that low-income children enter kindergarten behind their middle-income peers. They receive less mathematics support at home and from public preschools. The aim of this study was to test Math Shelf, a tablet…

For the last 3 years, more than 80% of the respondents to the "Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools" have stated that they would rather see a school's performance measure based upon "improvement shown by students" than the "percentage passing the test" (Rose & Gallup, 2007, p. 35). If this were to…

This study examined effects of a summer reading instruction program as part of an 8-week summer day camp experience for 61 disadvantaged first grade children. Two hours of direct explicit reading instruction daily were supplemented with a literacy-rich camping experience. Post-tests indicated the experimental group not only obviated usual summer…

Los Angeles children who attend the 8-week summer day camp spend 2 hours a day learning how to read. The rest of the time is spent playing sports, doing art activities, and taking field trips. The program is replicated in other school districts. (MLF)

Reviews four types of effective primary-grade reading programs: schoolwide, small-group, tutoring, and software. Each of the 14 programs reviewed includes a description, effectiveness evaluation, professional development requirements, costs, and contact information. Concludes that no one program will suffice for all instructional needs. Couples…

During the summer vacation children who are economically disadvantaged experience declines in reading achievement, while middle- and high-income children improve. Previous research has demonstrated that the most widely implemented intervention -- sending economically disadvantaged students to summer school -- has not led to increases in reading…

This study examined the relationship between creative teaching and elementary students' achievement gains. Forty-eight upper elementary school teachers' classroom instruction was observed and evaluated over the course of 8 different lessons throughout the year. For each teacher, during each lesson, both a creative teaching frequency score and a…

The Teacher Advancement Program (TAP) is a comprehensive school reform with the goal to attract, retain, and motivate quality teachers. By aggressively recruiting new teachers, providing a career continuum, introducing teacher-led professional development, implementing rigorous teacher accountability, and paying teachers based on their position,…

Discussion of the implementation of computer technology in schools focuses on the need to design computer technologies based on sound learning theories. Considers the results of meta-analyses on computer-based instruction; socio-cultural learning theory; computer-supported collaborative learning; constructivist theories; project-based learning;…

This discussion of the use of expert performance as the basis for inferring assessment scoring criteria in evaluating student performance considers characteristics of experts and difficulties in use of adult expertise to evaluate student performance. The use of gifted students' performances as benchmarks is suggested as possibly providing…

The extensive research on teacher quality has led to two conclusions. First, there are large and significant differences among teachers in terms of their capacity to improve student achievement. Second, these differences are not captured by common measures of teacher qualifications (E.A. Hanushek, Teacher quality, in: L.T. Izumi, W.M. Evers…

This study examined the effects of task structure on fifth- and sixth-grade students' information seeking on the Internet. Results indicated that children prefer browsing to analytic-based searching. They have difficulty finding relevant information on the Internet; however, they searched more effectively on the ill-defined task than on the…

This article discusses three compendiums of Ed Tech research giving readers a fairly broad overview of where the field stands today. But, just as with technology, research is constantly moving forward. New and exciting ways to use technology and valuable data to support different kinds of technology use are continually being discovered. The texts…