Background: Britain is rich in longitudinal population cohort studies that posit valuable data resources for social science. However, education researchers currently underutilize these resources. Aims: The current paper (1) outlines the power and benefits of secondary data analyses for educational science and (2) provides a practical guide for…

The reading and mathematics performance of five groups of primary school age children (four of which were receiving special education in various forms) were compared longitudinally using a national representative sample. There was little difference in the reading progress of ESN(M) children in ordinary and special schools although the latter made…

Over a 4-year period, compared scholastic attainment of children from disadvantaged homes with that of children from working class homes. Results supported the hypothesis that scholastic learning in culturally disadvantaged children shows a cumulative deficit over a time, although not all differences between the groups were statistically…

Describes British study that monitored and evaluated the cognitive development and academic attainments of Down's Syndrome children ages 3-10 over a two-year period. Comparisons with mainstream schools and special schools are made in the areas of children's expressive language, comprehension, numeracy, verbal fluency, drawing ability, and reading.…

Examines the attitudes of Year 2 boys and girls, drawn randomly from British primary schools within a local educational authority, towards school and school activities. Reports that between Years 2 and 6 the children became more negative towards the curriculum, interaction with the teacher and discipline, and happier about interacting with peers.…