Argues that a new definition of affect that focuses on the subjective understanding of interpersonal events, can be used to expand models of how observed family behaviors are related to adolescent psychosocial outcomes. A method for examining adolescents' subjective understanding of family behaviors, the video-recall method, is illustrated in a…

This study compared 16 students with either a less or more severe disability from elementary schools using the "full inclusion" model and 16 similar students from schools using the special class model. The study analyzed individualized education plans and also compared program quality and student outcome variables. Significant…

Presents a quantitative study of the development of a theoretical model of drop-outs from distance education courses. Data collected by the Distance Education Student Progress (DESP) questionnaire from 1,060 students in Hong Kong investigated how students were able to integrate demands of their academic course with those of families, employers,…

Changing views of models of evaluation are considered, with a review of models for program evaluation debated in the 1970s. The evaluation of a police probationer training program illustrates the relationship between the democratic evaluation advocated by B. MacDonald and action research. (SLD)

Calculating the reliability of a testlet-based test is demonstrated using data from 1,812 males and 2,216 females taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test verbal section and 3,866 examinees taking another reading test. Traditional reliabilities calculated on reading comprehension tests constructed of four testlets provided substantial overestimates.…

Discusses the importance of affective considerations when designing instruction for distance education. Topics discussed include learner motivation based on Keller's ARCS model (Attention, Relevance, Confidence, and Satisfaction); communication patterns that facilitate interaction between students; and ethics involved with marketing programs,…

Seven papers present research perspectives on how schools can nurture a collaborative relationship between parents and teachers to enhance student learning. Topics include the ways schools involve parents; the ways schools draw on home learning; programs in action; studies of parents, children, and teachers; and contextual and organizational…

Describes how a system approach, often used in instructional systems design, was applied to the solution of a societal problem, i.e., how to enable small communities with limited resources to carry out successful substance abuse prevention programs involving training and education. Needs assessment is discussed and curriculum design is described.…

Providers' demographic characteristics, training, support networks, business practices, and stability of services were examined relative to their caregiving practices. Results from a schematic model approach suggest correlations between some of these factors and variances in ratings of caregiver practices. (LB)

Describes how an eighth grade teacher uses differential procedures (cognitive apprenticeship) to supervise preservice teacher interns in early, middle, and late field experiences; presents tables which offer the teacher's descriptions of her work alongside descriptions using the vocabulary of cognitive apprenticeship. (SM)

Describes a study of state employees that was conducted to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the use of teleconferencing to increase creativity among workers. A model of creativity is explained, the pretest/posttest used to assess teleconferencing effectiveness is presented, and implications for teleconferencing are discussed. (eight…

This article describes cooperative teaching involving general and special educators as an approach to serving students with special needs. The article provides an overview of the types of cooperative teaching and discusses implementation considerations, methods of problem solving, and the importance of interpersonal skills. (JDD)

Overcoming the education obstacles facing women, minorities, and the disabled is discussed. A report published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) on the topic of bringing underrepresented groups back on track for careers in science, math, and engineering is examined. (KR)

Identifies concepts and findings in cognitive psychology and cooperative learning relevant to teaching and learning higher cognitive skills. Derives implications from research to use as criteria for evaluating history and social science instruction programs. Critiques three models for teaching intellectual skills in the social studies curriculum.…

Principles of W. Kintsch's reading comprehension model (1978, 1980) were used to revise an expository text. Two experiments with 170 undergraduates and 125 Air Force recruits indicated that the principled revision conveyed the author's intentions better than the original text, suggesting the model's use for text improvement. (SLD)