Explores whether scale economies in a single statewide, nonproperty-tax-supported district differ from studies in more traditional settings. The sample consisted of 179 randomly selected Hawaiian elementary and middle schools enrolling sixth-grade students. Stanford Achievement Test scores for grades three and six were used. Smaller schools had…

Describes an award winning, multicultural enrichment program for sixth grade students in the District of Columbia public schools. Pairs students with participating foreign embassies in Washington. Includes study of the adopted country's culture, the functions of an embassy, and a mini United Nations in which the students represent their adopted…

Describes a study of the effect of teachers' verbal feedback on the ability of bilingual sixth graders to solve mathematical word problems. Treatment was based on Mayer's model of problem solving. Results indicated that theory-based feedback targeted to bilingual students' individual and class needs improved student mathematics performance. (GH)

Identifies factors that influence the English reading test performance of Hispanic children as compared with Anglo children in the same fifth and sixth grade classrooms. Suggests that Hispanic students' reading test scores seriously underestimate their reading comprehension potential. Discusses factors that adversely affect their test performance.…

Reports findings of a study that investigated fifth and sixth graders' attending and participating behaviors during mathematics. Some students, especially low achievers, manifested passivity in cooperative small groups. Some possible reasons for this behavior are suggested, and a categorization of types of passivity is provided. (Author/SM)

Examined behaviors of second and sixth graders during (1) unsupervised free time; (2) unsupervised desk work; (3) supervised free time; and (4) a class lesson. Second graders worked on their assignments whether or not the teacher was present. In the class lesson context, children in both grades exhibited work behaviors and few peer interactions.…

Describes the use of cross-age tutoring in which sixth-grade students are used to teach first-grade students about plants. Provides a list of praise words used by the sixth graders and discusses the mutual benefits received by the students. (MDH)

The stability of scores on 2 types of performance assessments, an observed hands-on investigation and a notebook surrogate, was investigated for 29 sixth graders on 2 occasions. Results indicate that student performance and procedures changed and that generalizability across occasions was moderate. Implications for assessment are discussed. (SLD)

Gives first-year results of three-year program evaluation for drug and alcohol prevention project. Compared a target group of 152 sixth graders receiving instruction using Botvin's life skills training curriculum with 64 subjects receiving no treatment. Results indicated that the program had a significant positive impact on the target subjects'…

The mathematics components of an elementary school achievement battery were studied for differential item performance between 726 boys and 721 girls taking the California Achievement Test in grades 4, 5, and 6. Overall, no skill classifications, ability levels, or item locations favored one sex group consistently across grades. (SLD)

Cluster analysis was used to classify 257 fifth and sixth graders on the basis of their mastery, ego, and work-avoidant goal orientations. Results identify three clusters with different achievement profiles in science. Students for whom mastery goals were stronger than the other goals show the most positive achievement. (SLD)

Investigated group, grade, and gender differences in attitudes toward mathematics and science of gifted middle grades students (n=256) from three ethnic backgrounds. All groups exhibited positive attitudes. Significant group differences were found in students' perceptions of teachers' attitudes, mathematics anxiety, effectance motivation, and…

Determines the effects of the development and implementation of an interactive multimedia computer program on the achievement and attitude of sixth-grade saxophonists by comparing the achievement of experimental and control groups. Suggests that proper development and application of educational multimedia computer programs may benefit instrumental…

Describes a university/school partnership in which teacher-education students at the university responded via e-mail to the writing of 6th graders, resulting in advances for writers and teachers of writing. (SR)

Examined fourth, fifth, and sixth graders' self-conceptualizations about their own appearance in relation to peer evaluations of social behaviors. The children also indicated how important they believed appearance to be for peer relationships. Found that the association of appearance self-discrepancies and particular behavior dispositions occurred…