The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate the usefulness of meta-analysis for providing information to educational decision-makers for input evaluation. To accomplish this purpose, 70 studies on individualized instruction in grades 1-12 published from 1974 to the present were analyzed to obtain information that would be useful in helping educational decision-makers determine which, if any, type(s) of individualized instruction should replace traditional instruction. / Results of the meta-analysis indicated that mastery learning outperformed traditional instruction and other types of individualized instruction on achievement indicators in mathematics, natural science, and language arts courses. Subjects receiving mastery learning instruction also had more positive attitudes toward the school subject in question than did subjects receiving traditional instruction. In addition, mastery learning can be implemented with a minimum amount of disruption to traditional classroom procedures. / It was concluded that meta-analysis can provide information that would be useful to educational decision-makers in selecting among educational options. Meta-analysis is also useful in directing attention to specific process questions regarding the effectiveness of alternatives, e.g., what is it about mastery learning that produces outcomes that are superior to those of traditional instruction and other forms of individualized instruction. Three important process variables associated with mastery learning were time on task, cost, and the use of criterion referenced tests to assess mastery of instructional objectives. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-12, Section: A, page: 4099. / Major Professor: Garrett Foster. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1990.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 40-07, Section: A, page: 3976. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1979.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 40-07, Section: A, page: 3977. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1979.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 38-05, Section: A, page: 2725. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1977.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 38-05, Section: A, page: 2722. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1977.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 38-05, Section: A, page: 2726. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1977.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 38-11, Section: A, page: 6666. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1977.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 39-03, Section: A, page: 1500. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1978.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 39-06, Section: A, page: 3537. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1978.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 40-02, Section: A, page: 0808. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1978.