The present study, a meta-analysis of 61 studies of self-concept, shows that children with learning disabilities (LD) perceive their academic ability less favorably than their non-LD peers. In contrast to previous research, this study indicated no differences in self-concept as a function of special education setting. Implications for research and…

Describes student work with linear and nonlinear relationships illustrating algebra skills and understanding which are important to introductory algebra. (YDS)

Finds that lexical level in a second language (L2) is a better predictor of reading in L2 that the learners' general ability, predicting certain failure (when the learner's lexical level is lower than 3,000 word families), or certain success (when the level is over 5,000). (SR)

Measured attitudes of 293 freshmen college students using revised Situational Attitude Scale (SAS) Student-Athlete. Findings suggest that freshman students perceive student athletes negatively in situations dealing with academic competence. Student athletes should be educated to "isms" they may be facing from peers on campus and in classroom.…

Discusses materials used for teaching of English-as-a-Second-Language study skills. It is suggested that for ESL study skills materials to be effective, their development should have as a starting point the development of the learners' underlying study competence. (six references) (JL)

The common comment made on British university students' comprehensive examinations is incorrect but persists. It is an indication of how (1) the exams themselves upstage the educational process; (2) educators overuse platitudes and are quick to criticize; and (3) the questions asked are inappropriate. (MSE)

Develops a mapping sentence to construct test items measuring academic and creative abilities in mathematics at four levels. Describes the three stages of the process of developing the mapping sentence and presents examples of test items representing each ability/level combination. Contains 63 references. (Author/ASK)

Reports on two studies in which high school students were forced to process a text containing a geographical map. Shows that, in both studies, the effectiveness of directed, forced processing of texts and maps depends upon the level of processing encouraged and the ability of the students concerned. (CMK)

Analysis of longitudinal data on 658 German adolescents studied from sixth to ninth grade identified four developmental patterns of beliefs about their academic capabilities: steady high, increasing, decreasing, and steady low. Factors influencing patterns included parental involvement/interest, maternal warmth, school grade, school anxiety, and…

Examines specific science-related attitudes, informal science-related experiences, future interest in science, and gender of young high-ability students (n=111) who completed the Test of Science Related Attitudes (TOSRA), the Science Experience Survey (SES), and the Course Selection Sheet (CSS). Develops two regression models to predict the number…

Close to 50% of all college students attend 2-year colleges, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics (2003). The common assumption is that students who choose 2-year schools do so because they are academically deficient or price conscious. However, little research has been done on why students choose to attend a 2-year college.…

Background: Although several studies support the existence of a negative stream effect on lower-ability stream students' academic self-concept, there is not enough longitudinal research evidence to preclude the possibility that the stream effect may only be temporary. In addition, not much is known about the effect of streaming on changes in…

There are a number of ways to capture student interest and improve student ability to understand complex phenomena. Without attempting any systematic assessment of the improvement in student learning the analogies, conversations with students lead to believe that techniques are a valuable tool in the botanist's toolbox.

Students motivated to protect self-worth perform poorly in situations that threaten to reveal low ability while performing well in situations that involve little threat to self-worth. One factor contributing to their poor performance is thought to be their orientation towards social comparison goals (goals that have to do with vindicating their…

The purpose of this study was to explore the structural and concurrent validity of the Academic Competence Evaluation Scales-College (ACES-College; J. C. DiPerna & S. N. Elliott, 2001). Results indicated that the ACES-College is composed of 2 scales--Academic Skills and Academic Enablers--each with multiple subscales. Results also indicated that…