Discussion of the relationship of personality variables to programing ability highlights a study of undergraduates that investigated the influence of cognitive style on the programing skill of debugging. Use of the Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) is described, scoring schemes for diagnostic tasks are explained, and suggestions for further…

When groups of junior-high gifted, regular curriculum, and special learning needs students (N=265) were compared on attitudes toward career decision making, students' level of academic ability appeared to exert a strong positive effect on career maturity. Scores for male and female groups were almost equal. (Author/JDD)

The aim of this study was to determine the relative potency of different student characteristics potentially salient to differentiating epistemological view. The student variables were demographic (major and sex), verbal ability, and learning style (four scales from the Inventory of Learning Processes). (Author/MLW)

Bright as the state of computerized testing is today, the future holds even more promise. Two areas that show the greatest potential are continuous measurement of student achievement and, eventually, intelligent computerized measurement of achievement. Included is a brief summation of a test administered in Texas. (12 references) (SI)

Presents two alternatives to ability grouping--flexible grouping (based on students' level of independence as learners), and cooperative learning groups. Discusses the benefits of cooperative learning, and provides a sample cooperative learning lesson. (MM)

Reports a study comparing academically at-risk elementary students with typical students to determine differences in family functioning. Researchers collected data on the families and students and determined that at-risk families were different in demographics and family functioning and were less cohesive and adaptable than families not at risk.…

Commentary on Gardner's "Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice" suggests that Gardner has made major contributions to discussions of the mind and educational goals. The article identifies issues arising from Project Zero's efforts to conceptualize and assess varieties of human intelligence and to follow implications of its work…

Reviews four recent journal articles on the social dynamics of classrooms. Topics include the effects of gender and ability on social behaviors, and effects of school "warmth" on student participation and achievement. (ET)

Information about the foreign language academic history, learning attitudes, and academic skills was gathered from high-risk students, low-risk students, and students with learning disabilities. Findings are interpreted in light of the Linguistic Coding Deficit Hypothesis, which speculates that foreign-language learning problems are related to…

A reanalysis of American College Testing Program data found systematic relationships between student ability, family income, and college choice set characteristics for a general college-bound sample (n=6930) but not for students (n=254) who had applied for financial aid. Implications are drawn for using financial aid to increase student choice of…

College students rated dissimilarity of pairs of common test item formats. A multidimensional scaling model with individual differences fit to data from 111 students suggested that they used 2 dimensions to distinguish among the formats, 1 separating supply from selection items and 1 based on the number of options. (SLD)

The responses of 2,511 Asian American students in grades 4 to 11 in Seattle, Washington, to the Survey of Achievement Responsibility revealed distinctions among Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other Southeast Asian students in attributions to effort or ability. Recommends national origin be defined in studies related to Asian…

A study of 125 first-year students at Peabody College (Vanderbilt University, Tennessee) investigated psychological processes underlying college success. Results indicated students' rules of reasoning about effort and ability, motivational goals, and confidence in their intelligence were strongly related to types of participation in college and…

Reports research that examined the relationship between students' views of family and school and the students' academic ability and achievement. Explains that 516 Australian children were studied at ages 11 and 16. Identifies a correlation between student perceptions and their school-related outcomes. (SG)

Two prediction models using age and entry-level reading and math scores to differentiate completers and noncompleters were tested with 1,319 community college adult basic education students. Persisters and dropouts were not homogeneous groups; for example, General Educational Development completers differed from other completers, and early and…