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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of two proficiency rates on the retention of materials using the Precision Teaching Method. Data were obtained during 3 days of treatment and over four monthly posttests using 120 fourth-grade subjects who were categorized by prior achievement as above average, average, and below average. Both treatments were conducted by teachers in classroom settings. Analyses included ANCOVA, t-test of retention ratio means, and t-test of percentage of correct response means. While the results were mixed, a significant interaction effect indicated that subjects in the average and below-average categories performed significantly better after 3 months when the higher proficiency rate was required. Subjects in the below-average category were found to perform with significantly greater accuracy in the higher proficiency rate treatment.

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Effects of Proficiency Rates on Later Performance of a Recall and Writing Behavior

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