This study examined whether discourse and topic knowledge separately predicted the overall quality and the inclusion of basic genre elements in 5th grade students' stories, persuasive papers, and informational text once the other type of knowledge as well as topic interest, spelling, handwriting fluency, length of text, and gender were controlled.…

Early academic achievement has been shown to predict high school completion, but there have been few studies of the predictors of early academic success focused on Latino students. Using longitudinal data from 750 Mexican and Dominican American families, this study examined a cultural model of parenting and early academic achievement. While Latino…

This study examined whether or not embodied-agent-based learning would help middle-grade females have more positive mathematics learning experiences. The study used an explanatory mixed methods research design. First, a classroom-based experiment was conducted with one hundred twenty 9th graders learning introductory algebra (53% male and 47%…

Individual differences in strategy use (choice and accuracy) were analyzed. A sample of 362 Grade 6 students solved complex division problems under 2 different conditions. In the choice condition students were allowed to use either a mental or a written strategy. In the subsequent no-choice condition, they were required to use a written strategy.…

This longitudinal study examined the association between early patterns of home language use (age 4.5 years) and vocabulary growth (ages 4.5 to 12 years) in English and Spanish for 180 Spanish-speaking language minority learners followed from ages 4.5 to 12 years. Standardized measures of vocabulary were administered to children from ages 4.5 to…

Reacting to the Past is a pedagogy involving collaborative role playing in history-based games over a semester. This article presents results from a systematic assessment of this novel pedagogy conducted in 3 phases following student focus group interviews. Interviews indicated that the method was generally popular compared with traditional…

A new adaptive procedure for assessing multiple dimensions of self-concept for children younger than 8 years was studied with a sample of 501 children from kindergarten through grade 2. Use of the Self-Description Questionnaire with young children was supported by factor analysis. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed. (SLD)

The purpose of this study was to determine (1) whether sex operated as a diffuse status characteristic in mixed-sex groups of fourth- and fifth-grade children (n=168), and (2) whether an intervention based on expectation states theory would be successful in changing the status relationships within such groups. (PN)

The relation of classroom experience to children's self-perceptions of ability, effort, and conduct was investigated in an observational study of 85 second and sixth graders. Findings suggest that children distinguish among different types of feedback and highlight the differential effects of feedback on achievement-related self-perceptions.…

A standardized open-ended interview was used to study how children, four to eight years of age, judge their own and their classmates' abilities. Self-ratings declined with grade, but peer ratings did not. Evaluation differences are discussed in terms of cognitive development and changes in the educational environment. (BS)

Chicano and non-Hispanic White Children (n=171, age two and one-half years) from diverse backgrounds were tested using the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. Mothers were interviewed for family data. Ethnic group performance differences were explained (statistically) by a combination of effects associated with ethnic differences in…

This study examined same-sex and cross-sex help exchanges in reading and math classes among third and fifth-grade students. Students sought help more frequently from same sex. Girls, more than boys, reported liking their boy helpers as much as their same-sex helpers. (Author/JAZ)

Whether male and female high school students of high mathematics ability use different solution strategies on problems whose responses had previously shown gender differences was studied with 25 males and 22 females. Females were more likely to use conventional problem-solving strategies, and the use of conventional strategies was associated with…

Five boys and five girls each in grades one through six (n=60 students) asked controversial questions in interviews, recognized the lack of social consensus on the controversial topics and made subtle distinctions between controversial and noncontroversial topics. Implications for discussion of controversial issues in the classroom are discussed.…