The purpose of this longitudinal study was to investigate whether or not selected academic ability indices and personal characteristics of 117 teachers were associated with changes in their attitude toward their teaching as a career measured upon the commencement of training, the end of student teaching, and completion of their fifth year of…

This study examines the rules used by Chinese students to integrate information, and examines the perceived importance of academic ability, effort, and study skills to students and teachers. Information integration theory indicates that individuals use simple algebraic rules (averaging, adding, or multiplying) to integrate information. Cultural…

Since student ratings of teacher effectiveness are instrumental in faculty promotion and tenure decisions, the assets and limitations of such ratings must be understood. To investigate the impact of three personality factors (ability, locus of control, and self-esteem) and academic performance on expectation and attributions of performance, 212…

Based on research studies, the current literature, and findings emerging from efforts to recruit well-qualified teacher education students for the University of Dayton, seven recommendations were developed for teacher educators to consider in implementing a formal, systematic recruitment program: (1) Teacher recruitment should begin with the…

The importance of specific academic skills for entering college students was assessed based on the views of 80 Indiana University faculty members who were teaching 100-level courses during the fall semester 1982-1983. Findings include the following: reading, reasoning, speaking/listening, and studying are academic skills judged necessary for…

Several recent studies concerning the influence of gender on academic achievement from elementary school through college are reviewed. The research covered focuses on: (1) academic attainment by gender; (2) achievement differences between males and females; (3) causes of achievement differences; (4) hemispheric brain preferences; (5) differential…

This study examines factors in rural high school students' decision to participate in vocational education. The study compares characteristics of rural high school graduates who completed higher proportions of their course work in vocational education with those who completed lower proportions. It also compares characteristics of rural high school…

The development and current status of "special-action" admissions at the undergraduate level are considered for the University of California and California State University, and recommendations are offered for strengthening the special-action admissions process. Special-action admissions provides some flexibility in admitting students…

In order to advance our understanding of the mechanisms through which women come to be underrepresented in mathematics and science, factors associated with the academic choices of students in three grade ll classes were studied. Information was gathered through questionnaires, interviews with students and with their mathematics teachers, classroom…

The hard-cover basal textbook continues to dominate teaching and learning in elementary social studies, particularly as a reaction to reduced budgets, the back to basics movement, state-wide testing, and criticism of less traditional teaching practices. Two problem areas encountered by children when using social studies textbooks include lack of…

Cognitive and achievement levels were analyzed for 192 students (grades 1-12) served in generic special education resource rooms in a Texas community, using cognitive and achievement test data, service delivery information, and demographic data. Grade levels of the subjects were used as a constant in the data analysis. Among reported findings were…

Using recent theory and research on individual differences, learning, and instruction, this paper attempts to answer the following two questions: What criteria should be used to select students to receive services under Chapter 1 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act (1981) and what kinds of chapter 1 services should be provided to…

The question of whether basic skills courses belong in higher education is examined through a review of the literature. The following issues are discussed in terms of opposing and supporting positions: (1) economic concerns (recruitment of a wider pool of students necessitate basic skills courses but preserve enrollment levels); (2) academic…

This report examines student performance on a test composed of items developed to be aligned with the Charleston County School District (CCSD) Language Arts Comprehension Curriculum. The report contains a data analysis section that explains the relationship between two basic concepts of the Rasch measurement model, item difficulty and student…

One approach to test bias has focused on identifying the potential variables or factors that may be responsible for bias in a particular test for a particular subgroup. This approach was employed in this study to determine variables which may relate to differential test performance by Anglo and Hispanic students. The test materials used in this…