Alexandria City Public Schools Social Studies Evaluation Project 1977-1978 [And Roanoke City Schools, Chesterfield County Fublic Schools, and Fairfax County Schools Social Studies Evaluation Projects, 1977-1978] / Larry Weber and Dan Fleming.

A project to upgrade knowledge and skills of junior high school students in American history was conducted in four cities and counties in Virginia during 1977-78. The hypothesis was that students who received feedback from teachers regarding performance on an American history pre-test would perform better on a subsequent American history test. History skills being measured included ability to recognize famous leaders and political systems, read maps and graphs, identify time relationships, interpret written sources, and demonstrate knowledge of major periods of U.S. history. For the study, more than 2,500 students were assigned to experimental groups (receiving feedback from teachers) and control groups (no feedback). They were administered an American history pre-test in the fall of 1977. Tests were scored and results compiled in group data. Teachers of students in the experimental groups reviewed test results with their students. In May 1978, all students were post-tested in American history knowledge and skills. Findings indicated that students in all experimental groups showed improvement gains in more areas between pre- and posttests than did students in control groups. The conclusion is that feedback from teachers helps students achieve modestly higher test scores. Copies of pre- and posttests and answer keys are included in the appendices. (Author/DB)

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.