In Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis for June of 2008, Joseph P. Robinson of Stanford University reported the results of a study showing that kindergartners from Hispanic backgrounds who received reading instruction in groups based on ability had better outcomes than their peers in conditions where students are not grouped by ability. Professor Robinson found that Hispanic children from homes where English is not the primrary language benefit from ability grouping in kindergarten and first grade. Ability grouping reduced the difference in achievement between these Hispanic students and their White peers. However, the benefits for the Hispanic students in kindergarten faded during first grade unless the children had ability grouped instruction during first grade.
Continue reading ‘Ability grouping benefits some’
Archive
Bogus Bowl III is closing and Bogus Bowl IV is about to open. Click here to vote in (or see the results of) BB III; voting is open until about 5:00 AM (US East Coast) 11 June. The new poll will appear in a post 11 June just after BB III closes.
Sphere: Related ContentAccording to an article by Jenny LaCoste-Caputo in the San Antonio (TX, US) Express-News, one of the schools adopting the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) is graduating well-prepared students. Under the headline “Charter school shatters stereotypes,” Ms. LaCoste-Caputo reported about eighth-grade students graduating from KIPP: Aspire Academy and enrolling in competitive, private secondary schools.
Continue reading ‘KIPP success story’
The Institute for Literacy and Learning is offering an outstanding series of presentations over the next few months. Randy Sprick, Sharon Vaughn, Jan Hasbrouck, Rollanda O’Connor, Deb Glaser, Patricia Mathes, and Lucy Hart-Paulson will present free, on-line chats about discipline, reading, assessment in response-to-instruction models, matching interventions to students’ needs, professional development, early language and literacy, and more.
Continue reading ‘Up-coming ILL sessions’
In her story for the Vancouver (BC, CA) Sun Janet Steffenhagen reported about the substantial gains in tool skills shown by students at an inner-city school in Vancouver. Under the headline “School leaps ahead in the rankings: Britiannia elementary principal credits a controversial reading program for students’ remarkable improvement,” Ms. Steffenhagen reported that aggregate scores on Canada’s Foundation Skills Assessment moved Britannia School from 636th rank to 232nd among 1000 schools in BC.
Continue reading ‘DI success story in BC’
Here’s a “Welcome” to Kylie Sturgess and Podblack Cat. I’m routinely pleased to find folks with whom I share skepticism about the bologna that masquerades as reasoned discourse in education. Because of Ms. Sturgess’ focus on skepticism, education, and science, I’m noting here that I’ve added her site to the blogroll on Teach Effectively.
Continue reading ‘Podblack Cat’
Dan Willingham has posted a revised version of his brief video explaining the relationship between research on brain functioning and education. I referred both faithful readers of Teach Effectively to the original video in this earlier post and I’ve now updated that post with a link to the new video (a link to the old one’s still there, too).
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Bogus Bowl IV
This was a tough one to develop. Thanks to many suggestions from colleagues, however, we have a new opportunity to waste time.
Which of the following do you consider the most bogus answer to the question, "How do you know that [teaching practice] is effective?"
Total Voters: 53
To see the results of the previous poll, take a look at the original posting of it.
As with previous Bogus Bowls, please remember that the results of these polls do not provide credible scientific evidence; they simply reflect the opinions of the respondents. Also, note that some of the choices that got few votes in a poll might just re-appear in a future BB on Teach Effectively!; mayhaps we’ll have a challenge bowl about which was the most bogus question, too.
To see the results of all Bogus Bowls and other polls from Teach Effectively, please follow the link labeled “polls” in the top navigation element. Meanwhile, I welcome suggestions for topics for future Bogus Bowls. Just drop ‘em in the comments.
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