This study investigates how different types of prior knowledge influence student achievement and how different assessment measures influence the observed effect of prior knowledge. We introduce a model of prior knowledge that distinguishes between different types of prior knowledge and uses different assessment measures to assess different types…

A capstone course, entitled "Coordinating Seminar," has been developed at Rivier College, a small Roman Catholic liberal arts college in New England, as a vehicle for assessment in the Psychology Department. Assessment has been defined by Rivier College as a collegewide effort to document and verify the amount and quality of educational change in…

Designed to determine if elementary school teachers have mastered the reading concepts most emphasized in undergraduate courses at the University of Northern Colorado, where they mastered these concepts, or why they have not mastered the concepts, the measure includes 51 items in multiple-choice format. The items cover "basic reading…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of mathematics inservice training for elementary teachers delivered in the longer-term institute format. The goal of the institute was to improve teachers' ability to provide meaningful, effective mathematics instruction to elementary school children. Specifically the investigators sought answers to the…

This paper describes a study which explored the variables of teacher knowledge of content, teacher attitude toward the content, and span of time with regard to implementation of selected teaching practices in the elementary classroom. The 32 elementary classroom teachers who comprised the sample received 2 days of training in instructional…

Arkansas adult leaders (N=95) were surveyed to test the hypothesis that a cooperative extension service educational program would increase participants' knowledge of land use planning over that of a control group and would also affect attitudinal changes toward land use problems and policies. Nineteen respondents were selected from each of 5…

Sixth and seventh-grade students were tested on their cardiovascular health knowledge, to assess the impact of the School Health Curriculum Project (Berkeley Project). Significant differences in knowledge were present following the unit, but lacking one year later. Available from: Sage Publications, Inc., 275 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills,…

Describes research on the effectiveness of "3-2-1 CONTACT," a Public Broadcasting System children's television science series. In the study, 15 of the shows designed for the series' second season were pilot-tested with fourth and fifth graders (N=192) by examining changes in student knowledge using pre- and post-tests. Conclusions are…

A study of the effects of time formats on informational and attitudinal changes of students in college-level human sexuality courses indicates that the duration of the course is less important than the method of teaching it. (RM)

Presents research which indicates that alcohol education efforts based on a "knowledge-attitude-behavior" model can be effective in reducing alcohol problems. Summarizes essential requirements of effective alcohol education. (RC)

Project SAFE (Seizure Assimilation For Educators) was designed as a pilot project to train education personnel in the various aspects of seizure management in emotionally disturbed students. The project training program, utilizing a pretest/posttest design, compared the knowledge levels of 33 educators on seizure disorders and their management.…

The effects of continuing education programs on the knowledge of perinatal nurses were analyzed, using a pretest/post-test design. The hypothesis was confirmed that exposure to multiple continuing education programs is more effective than attendance at single, isolated programs. (MH)

Offers information on the sexual abuse of children and its prevention. Describes a study to validate an instrument to assess children's acquisition of knowledge about personal security and the prevention of sexual abuse as presented in the Child Abuse Research and Education (CARE) program in Montreal, Quebec. Confirms the validity of the program…

Follow-up of 55 adults who completed the Healthy Heart Program, which focused on heart disease risks, cholesterol, and diet, found that attitudes and knowledge were significantly higher after the program; fat intake, blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were significantly lower. Locus of control did not change. (SK)

This Hong Kong study examined the effectiveness of the Behavioral Skills Training program in the primary prevention of sexual abuse with 72 female Chinese adolescents with mild mental retardation. Subjects receiving the program demonstrated greater knowledge regarding sexual abuse and self-protection skills at posttest, which was maintained at…