Observations were made in 10 schools at the second-, fifth-, and seventh-grade levels of the forms of responses teachers and children provided to moral and social conventional transgressions. It was found that the responses of both teachers and children to social conventional events differed from their responses to moral events. (Author/RH)

Reviews studies on the psychosocial learning environment of science classrooms focusing on: (1) assessment of classroom learning environments; (2) predictive validity of environmental perceptions in science classrooms; (3) past criterion validity studies; and (4) directions for future research. (DS)

While total ontask behavior distinguished institutionalized children from children in community schools and special classes, it did not differentiate retarded children in community based classrooms from one another. (Author/SB)

Observations were conducted in desegregated elementary school classes to determine the relationship between classroom conditions and pupils' interracial behaviors. Diffuse positive intergroup contacts were more likely to occur when teachers emphasized interpersonal concerns. Purposeful intergroup contacts were facilitated by teacher patience and…

Evaluated differences among neglectful, behavior-problem, and normal mothers in their reports of child behavior problems and observed verbal behavior with children in situations requiring differing degrees of maternal control. Relative to normal mothers, behavior-problem mothers were most negative and were as controlling as neglectful mothers…

This study was concerned with the measurement of a set of indicators of teacher competence, defined by the teachers themselves as observable in their classroom behavior. It was concluded that keys could be constructed to yield stable and consistent measures of most indicators of competency. (Authors/JN)

Academic achievement of pupils working in small cooperation groups was compared to that of students taught in the traditional whole-class approach. Pupils in grades 2, 4 and 6 from small-group classrooms excelled on high level items; the groups did not differ on items measuring low level cognitive functioning. (Author/GSK)

The effectiveness of an instructional-learning management system designed to minimize the time needed for students to complete specified learning tasks and to maximize the opportunity for the individual students to complete the tasks is investigated. Instructional design makes use of teacher's and student's school time more effective. (Author/RD)

Sixty severely or profoundly handicapped young children in a residential treatment center were Ss in a modified time sampled observation study of social behavior, state, and physical context. Although system level changes in the institution's ecology did not appear to affect social interaction indices, the children's developmental ages were…

The behavior of four boys who were referred for oppositional, rule violating, and aggressive behaviors was assessed by direct observation and parent reports. Changing contract behavior to solitary toy play resulted in reduced oppositional behavior during the observation sessions, fewer reports from the parents of low-rate problem behaviors, and…

Behavior of eight emotionally disturbed boys improved dramatically after a school psychologist observed their class and suggested management techniques. The psychologist clarified the teacher's role as educator, not clinician; restructured the daily schedule; increased the teacher's understanding of reinforcement; and implemented a token economy…

The Greenspan-Lieberman Observational System Revised was used to evaluate characteristics of dyadic interactions between 10 hearing mothers and hearing toddlers (HH), 10 deaf mothers and deaf toddlers (DD), and 10 hearing mothers and deaf toddlers (HD). Findings suggest that assessment instruments require some modifications and results must be…

Describes the peer observation program developed by faculty at California State University, Dominguez Hills, its structure and adaptations, outcomes, and recommendations for development of formative peer observation programs. The program helps reduce faculty professional isolation by providing an informal structure for discussion of teaching and…

Discussion of school library media programs, educational reform, and the national guidelines set forth in "Information Power" focuses on a study of 48 school library media programs in the New England region. Surveys and observations by student interns from the University of Rhode Island library school are compared and analyzed. Results…

College faculty peer coaching encourages better teaching while addressing the unique nature of college instruction. It is non-evaluative, based on classroom observation or instructional materials review, and targets specific instructional techniques. Programs should have clear purposes and procedures, provide formal coaching training, provide…