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 publi c schooling-traditional and innovative-on students' analytical, creative, a nd practical abilities. These abilities were assessed through (1) ratings b y parents and teachers and (2) student performances on tests and other eval uative exercises, as well as student self-reports. The study found that inn ovative schools appear ro do a better job of developing students' cognitive abilities (analytical, creative, and practical) than do more traditional i nstitutions; in particular, the innovative schools significantly enhanced s tudents' creative abilities. This study begins to illuminate the impact of massive societal change, and accompanying educational responses, on the cog nitive development of Russian youth.