The case study of the use of a classroom observation technique to evaluate the abilities and performance of a bilingual kindergarten student previously assessed as a low achiever is described. There are three objectives: to show the validity of the ethnographic monitoring technique, to show the value of teachers as collaborating researchers, and…

Although ability partly explains why some students are eager to learn in school whereas others are disinterested, motivation is another significant factor. This newsletter discusses factors that affect students' motivation to learn, considers techniques that can increase motivation, and identifies schools that have developed activities to enhance…

This study used five data sets to investigate the effects of measured cognitive skills on educational attainment, and the effects of cognitive skills and educational attainment on occupational status and earning among men with low test scores, as compared to men with high test scores, and among men with blue-collar fathers, as compared to men with…

The overall composition of medical student enrollments and the distribution of their academic and demographic characteristics in 1976-1977 is examined and described. Most enrollment totals and background variables are presented by class level (first, intermediate, and final years) and type of control of medical school (public or private). It is…

Focusing primarily on students with above-average ability, this study tries to measure the extent to which these students, or subgroups of them, are discouraged from applying to high-priced institutions by purely financial considerations. Questionnaires were developed and mailed to approximately 8,000 students selected randomly from the list of…

Much interest has been directed toward instructional resources and their effect on student achievement. Results of studies show positive, negative, and no effects of some of these resources on achievement. This paper analyzes the distributions of reading instructional time, materials, and personnel of four New York State school districts with…

Bayesian data analytic procedures were used to assess the effects of a new undergraudate advising program designed to focus on students who do not initially declare a major field of study. Past research has shown that these students tend to graduate at a low rate, relative to those who do declare majors. It was hypothesized that these students…

A pilot study was conducted to determine effective methods for testing students' learning processes. The theoretical framework within which learning processes were investigated is based on the B-P-E paradigm. This states that "Behavior (B) is a function of the Person (P) and the Environment (E)". After reviewing research done in related…

Students assessed as high risk at Essex Community College (Maryland) were paired by identical scores on vocabulary and reading comprehension tests and as to whether they elected to take a learning skills course (N=56) or to ignore advice and not take the course (N=67). The learning skills course uses a programmed multimedia approach and as much…

Questions often raised about intelligence tests are discussed: (1) the definition of intelligence; (2) the definition of intelligence quotient; (3) the kinds of tests available; (4) validity; (5) fairness to minority groups; (6) use made of test results; (7) differences in results among various intelligence tests; (8) differences in scores using…

Student ability, involvement in the class, and classroom climate created by the instructor activities were examined as multiple and interactive predictors of course performance for 915 students in 74 sections of an undergraduate mathematics course. Climate was defined in two ways: (1) as individual perceptions and (2) as shared perceptions. Two…

IN CONJUCTION WITH AN INTERDISCIPLINARY INSTITUTE AT NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY, A SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL IN THE PROVISION OF EQUALITY OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ANGLO, SPANISH-AMERICAN AND INDIAN CHILDREN IN AZTEC AND TULAROSA, NEW MEXICO. THE MAJOR QUESTIONS…

An overview is provided of streaming in the Toronto school system and a summary of studies presented from Toronto and other Ontario school systems which have examined the relationships between streaming and academic achievement, ethnic background, social origin and future placement of students. Streaming is defined as the placement of pupils in…

IN A STUDY TO ASSESS THE VALUE OF A 1965 SUMMER HEAD START PROGRAM IN BALTIMORE, 83 PARTICIPATING CHILDREN WERE TESTED ON THE PEABODY PICTURE VOCABULARY TEST (PPVT) AND THE DRAW-A-PERSON (DAP), AND THEIR SCORES WERE COMPARED WITH THOSE OF A MATCHED GROUP OF CONTROL NON-HEAD START CHILDREN. ALL WERE TESTED IN SEPTEMBER 1965 (AT THE BEGINNING OF THE…

Two aids used in the identification of potential dropouts are examined. The Mink Scale (a teacher-rated scale) is based on classification of social, psychological, and educational forces related to dropout proneness: (1) academic ability and performance, (2) negative identification with education, (3) family and socioeconomic status, and (4)…