This study investigated the hypothesis that low reading achievement may be related to noise interference. Reading scores of children in classrooms near train tracks were lower than scores of children whose classrooms were quieter. Score differences may be due to children's blockage of all sounds in a noisy environment. (Author/MR)

This study produced an empirical description of environmental quality in reference to residential use by taking item responses of 2,541 residents of the San Francisco Bay Area and subjecting them to factor analysis. Twenty factors which provide a definition of environmental quality were produced. (BT)