Examines the effect of age and sex on hand preference and hand skill in two studies using six samples of children and a reanalysis of adult data. Results included findings that left- handers have an advantage over right-handers in visuo-motor speed. There was no evidence of increased dextrality with age. (JAC)

Examines the effects of differential contextualization on girls' and boys' performance on a computer-based perceptual-motor skills task involving tracking a moving line. Reveals that generally the boys' performance is little affected by the context of the task, while the girls' performance was affected by the context. (CMK)

Children from four to eight years of age were asked to construct a three-dimensional toy under one of three conditions: 40 children viewed a filmed demonstration of the procedure, 40 children were provided with a series of photographs depicting critical stages in the construction, and a third group of 30 students acted as controls. (Author/RH)

Visitors to an interactive science center were observed while assembling a large-scale lock and key kit. Males, and those who had previously watched another visitor, were faster at initial assembly of the lock, but for males this speed advantage disappeared in a reassembly test. Discusses what counts as "understanding" an exhibit.…

Discusses the consequences for equity issues in testing and evaluation that come with the inclusion of performance assessment components in public examinations. Uses data from the British General Certificate of Secondary Education to show effects on course work offered and gender equity and that student evaluation does not always function as…

Cross-national classroom environment research investigating differences in mathematics classroom environment according to country (Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom), grade level (grades 8, 10, and 12), and student gender was conducted using a sample of 3,602 students from 29 schools. Students responded to a questionnaire developed from…

Examines factors having a bearing on boy/girl performance in second-language classes in the United Kingdom. Findings indicate that boys attach less importance to learning a foreign language than girls do; girls are more conscientious about their schoolwork than boys are; expectations for boys and girls are different; and students value the…

The testing practices and tests described in the preceding articles are reviewed and compared. This cross-cultural examination identifies some issues that are common to the United States and Europe: (1) the emphasis on performance tasks, (2) the accommodation of language minorities, and (3) concerns about gender differences. (SLD)

The extent to which skill and competency-based systems used by work organizations in the United Kingdom may contribute to maintenance of the pay gap between men and women was examined through a review of the following: pertinent literature from the United Kingdom and United States; 15 published case studies; current Institute for Employment…