Current Trends in Education in Russia: Preliminary Outcomes Indicative of Students' Cognitive Development.

Using a sample school population (N = 333) in Voronezh, Russia, this study investigated the comparative effect of two different types of Russian public schooling-traditional and innovative-on students' analytical, creative, and practical abilities. These abilities were assessed through (1) ratings by parents and teachers and (2) student performances on tests and other evaluative exercises, as well as student self-reports. The study found that innovative schools appear to do a better job of developing students' cognitive abilities (analytical, creative, and practical) than do more traditional institutions; in particular, the innovative schools significantly enhanced students' creative abilities. This study begins to illuminate the impact of massive societal change, and accompanying educational responses, on the cognitive development of Russian youth. Cette etude compare l'effet de deux types differents d'ecoles publiques, traditionnelle et innovatrice, sur les habiletes pratiques, creatives et analytiques d'etudiants (N = 333) recrutes a Voronezh en Russie. Ces habiletes sont evaluees a partir (1) des scores fournis par les parents et les enseignants et (2) des resultats des etudiants a des tests et exercices ainsi qu'a des questionnaires d'auto-evaluation. Les ecoles innovatrices semblent mieux developper les habiletes cognitives (analytiques, creatives et pratiques) des etudiants, en particulier leurs habiletes creatives, que ne le font les institutions traditionnelles. Cette etude met en evidence l'impact d'un changement social important et les reponses educatives qui lui sont associees sur le developpement cognitif de la jeunesse russe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]