We evaluate a tracking program in a large urban district where schools with at least one gifted fourth grader create a separate "gifted/high achiever" classroom. Most seats are filled by non-gifted high achievers, ranked by previous-year test scores. We study the program's effects on the high achievers using (1) a rank-based regression…

This paper analyses the relationship between Norwegian school reform implementation and the use of special education. After the introduction of the national reform programme called the "Kunnskapsloftet" ("Knowledge promotion") in 2006, the use of special education has increased dramatically in Norway. As part of the national…

In recent months a number of states, such as Tennessee, have considered tying teacher evaluations and tenure to student achievement as part of their Race to the Top plans. This research brief evaluates how well early-career performance signals teacher effectiveness after tenure. The brief presents selected findings from a larger study using North…

Extensive education research on the contribution of teachers to student achievement produces two generally accepted results. First, teacher quality varies substantially as measured by the value added to student achievement or future academic attainment or earnings. Second, variables often used to determine entry into the profession and…

Concluded that publishing performance is not a function of the quality of graduate schools. Larger institutions appear to have an advantage by turning out a larger number of Ph.D.'s, but no correlation was found when the number of contributors to the "American Economic Review" from a school was compared with the rating of its graduate programs.…

Reports on a study of the contributors to the "American Economic Review" during the journal's first 80 years of publication. Finds that, of nearly 3,000 authors during this period, only 28% have appeared in the publication more than once. Provides tables of most frequent contributing authors and most frequent contributing universities.…

Argues that Blacks have begun to receive monetary benefits from education commensurate with those of Whites and that the gap has narrowed because of the relative upgrading of educational quality for Blacks. Available from American Economic Review, 1313 21st Avenue So., Suite 809, Nashville, TN 37212. (Author/IRT)

Even after controlling for quality, ability, and motivation, a large difference in predicted earnings for Whites and Blacks was found. The returns to years of education for Whites are approximately three percentage points greater than for Blacks at every working age. Available from American Economic Review, 1313 21st Avenue So., Suite 809,…

Examines the methodology used by the authors of the article immediately preceding this one. Questions both the use of expenditure per student as a measure of educational quality and the cohort effect's influence on the differences in the wage earnings of Blacks and Whites. Available from American Economic Review, 1313 21st Avenue So., Suite 809,…

The author describes two learning activities for teaching economics at the advanced undergraduate level: a May American Economic Review (AER) papers seminar and an analytic project. Both activities help students learn to "do economics." The May AER papers seminar promotes in-depth synthesis and interpretation on the basis of printed session papers…

During the past two decades 2-year colleges have become an increasingly important part of the American higher education system, especially for Hispanics who are disproportionately likely to start their careers in 2-year colleges. Given that today's economy rewards college attendance more than every before [Bound & Johnson (1992). "The…

Histories of 19th-century U.S. education center White experiences, while formal education policy and practice pertaining to Black and Native Americans are treated as marginal phenomena that had little impact on schooling at a national level. Furthermore, current historical framings overwhelmingly analyze Native, White, and Black American education…

The purpose of this study is to examine the social and economic impact of two-year and community colleges on minorities particularly African Americans who are earning a certificate, transfer credits to a four-year institution, or an Associate of Arts or Science Degree. The proposed research is a qualitative case study investigating the social and…

This literature review and accompanying research proposal were developed to identify and begin the process of addressing a gap in established pedagogical practices and academic literature. Specifically, the work asks: How are secondary Foods Studies and Home Economics teachers addressing the needs of culturally diverse and non-hegemonic…

This brief is part of the Affirming Equity, Ensuring Inclusion, and Empowering Action initiative. This brief--which draws on a thorough review of existing research, original data analysis, and conversations with institutional leaders and experts--urges college leaders and admissions officials to address longstanding inequities in college access by…