Mathematical problem solving is a transfer challenge requiring children to develop schemas for recognizing novel problems as belonging to familiar problem types for which they know solutions. Schema-based transfer instruction (SBTI) explicitly teaches transfer features that change problems in superficial ways to make them appear novel even though…

Reviews research on reading comprehension for students with learning disabilities focusing on studies on instruction to improve comprehension of narrative text and expository text. Discusses emerging issues in the field, including use of socially mediated strategies, teaching multiple strategies to students, and teaching specific strategies as…

Examined the effects of classroom-based performance assessment-driven instruction (PA) with 16 teachers randomly assigned to PA and no-Pa conditions. Results show PA-driven instruction can increase teachers' understanding of what PA is and how it might be used to improve mathematics instructional decisions. (SLD)

Interactions and performances of 10 high-achieving third- and fourth-grade students on complex mathematics tasks were studied as a function of paring with other high-achieving (homogeneous) or low-achieving (heterogeneous pairing) students. Homogeneous dyads operate more collaboratively, generate more cognitive conflict, and create better quality…

The effects of a task-focused goals (TFG) treatment in mathematics were studied with low-achieving students with or without learning disabilities. Results with 40 elementary classrooms showed that TFG students enjoyed the approach, but that increased effort was associated with greater learning only for those without learning disabilities. (SLD)

The quality and effectiveness of students' mathematical explanations as a function of the ability of the tutor were studied with dyads from 20 classrooms (60 students) in which students had been practicing peer tutoring for 23 weeks. Tutees of high-achieving peer tutors offered better explanations. (SLD)

This study of high- and low-achieving first graders assessed the effect of two mastery learning treatments on reading performance. Results are presented, and implications are discussed. (Author/MT)

Assessment of the use of pupil performance data bases in supporting educational goals revealed that teachers who used a computer to track the progress of their mildly handicapped students more frequently recorded superior performance within the goal-based evaluation conditions than did teachers who did not use the computer. (Author/CB)

Based on data from 22 controlled studies, this article presents a meta-analysis of the effects of examiner familiarity on children's test performance. It was found that examiner familiarity raised scores especially when subjects were: (1) of low socioeconomic status; (2) tested on difficult tests; and (3) knew the examiner for a long duration.…

Two types of instructional adaptation were explored: routine adaptation (the extent to which teachers establish initial routines to facilitate ongoing adaptation) and specialized adaptation (how teachers modify instructional plans in light of student difficulty). Participants were 110 general educators. (Author/SM)

The effects of on-going curriculum-based measurement of student growth and expert system instructional consultation on teacher planning and student achievement in mathematics operations were studied for 33 elementary teachers assigned to one control or 2 experimental groups. Each teacher worked with two learning disabled or emotionally disturbed…

This study compares the effect on instruction of two strategies used by special education teachers (N=22) to monitor reading skills development. One strategy used only the overall performance indicator from a written recall measure; the other used this indicator in conjunction with a more qualitative analysis of student protocols. (IAH)

Effects of previous training and experience in peer tutoring on student interactions were studied for 16 elementary school classes. Student dyads with experience and training in peer tutoring provided more interactional explanations and incorporated sounder instructional principles. In both situations, student explanations tended to be algorithmic…

Thirty-nine special educators, each having three to four pupils in the study, were assigned randomly to a repeated curriculum-based measurement/evaluation treatment or a conventional special education evaluation treatment. Experimental teachers effected greater student achievement. (Author/BW)