A Study of the Effects of Jerome Bruner's Man: A Course of Study on Social Studies Achievement in Fifth Grade.

The main purpose of this study is to determine achievement changes that occur in fifth grade students using the social studies curriculum program, "Man: A Course of Study (MACOS)". The experimental group consists of 103 students using the MACOS materials, and the control group of 103 students using a traditional social studies course. Controlled variables include a child's sex and I.Q. The null hypothesis is that there will be no significant difference in standard achievement test scores based on either the child's sex or I.Q., or whether they studied the standard curriculum or Bruner's MACOS course for the year. No significant difference between the test performance of the two groups is observed, demonstrating to teachers and administrators -- who frequently are reluctant to try newer social studies programs because they fear the students' achievement test scores will decline -- that students do not suffer by using innovative, inquiry-oriented curriculum. Instead, teachers should be encouraged to use the new materials based on the findings. Some of the criticism aimed at the MACOS project are also answered in the document. (Author/JR)