Search

This note suggests that it is sometimes possible to apply true experimental designs in field settings by takmg advantage of the constraints under which programs or experimental treatments must operate. In a research study requiring classical treatment and control groups, practical methods for implementing true experimental procedures in public schools had to be devised and applied. These solutions to a problem often encountered by evaluators are presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Students at eight secondary schools were randomly assigned to either a treatment group that was given special preparation for the SAT-V or to a control group whose access to the same preparation was delayed for the purposes of the study. The programs of special preparation were those already in place at the schools A special administration of the SAT served as the posttest. Special preparation resulted in an overall difference of eight. points, on the SAT-V scale of 200-800 points, between the treatment and control groups, corresponding to one additional correct item and stemming primarily from performance on analogy and antonym items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]