Discusses the Mabar experiment underway at WIZO High School in Rehovot, Israel. The experiment aims to make Bagrut exams accessible to students thought incapable or uninterested in taking the exam. (CK)

Discusses problems of using applied behavior analysis for individuals with mental retardation who have behavior disorders and presents a sensitivity model of motivation that stresses analysis in terms of aberrant environments, aberrant contingencies, and aberrant motivation. Describes implications for communication theory, assessment, and…

This study of four students (ages 10-13) with mental retardation evaluated a combination audio/visual self-prompting system with an electronic, augmentative communication device that uses picture overlays and recorded speech to increase independent task completion. Results indicated a substantial difference in performance when the self-prompting…

Describes student historical research and student classroom presentation of the results of that research. Feedback from the student surveys verifies that active-learning mathematics history can motivate students to learn mathematics. (Author/DDR)

Argues that the publication of student writing from all levels of an English program motivates students, provides instructional material, and validates the process approach to teaching writing. (TB)

Investigates whether authentic materials increase student motivation in the classroom. Findings reveal that while on-task behavior and observed motivation increased significantly when authentic materials were used, self-reported motivation only increased over the last 12 days of the study. Students reported authentic materials to be less…

Evidence from 2,063 elementary and secondary school students who took the School Achievement Motivation Rating Scale developed through the participation of 30 teachers supports the internal consistency and stability of scores from the scale. Evidence of concurrent and construct validity is also provided. (SLD)

Discusses the results of presenting an animated movie conveying the theme of preserving the natural environment to non-English-speaking Mexican children in English-as-a-Second-Language classes as a stimulus for concentrating on English comprehension. Findings indicate that 42% of the students reviewed showed English comprehension and 30% described…

Stresses the importance of camp staff understanding why campers misbehave. Offers recommendations for helping campers to learn responsible behavior, including setting clear expectations and consequences for camper behavior; teaching campers self-discipline and problem-solving strategies; asking campers thought-provoking questions; avoiding power…

Finds that these teachers claimed commitments to several practices: (1) extensive reading at the heart of their reading instruction; (2) diverse instructional practices; (3) teaching of both word-level and higher-order skills and processes; (4) development of student background knowledge; (5) student writing; (6) extensive use of diverse…

Reports a study of physical educators' perceptions of the effects of block scheduling on their classes and on the teachers who were using it. Surveys indicated that physical educators who used block scheduling were universally positive about it because it provided an opportunity to truly meet the physical education objectives. (SM)

Investigates whether significant differences exist between effective and ineffective urban schools based on students' classroom behavior and students' motivation and perceptions of their classroom learning environment. Comparisons between eight urban elementary schools serving predominantly African American students are presented that show…

Ten Hispanic families in which bilingual parents had chosen to maintain the use of Spanish in the home were interviewed. Explicit questions about rationales for this choice elicited answers related to instrumental benefits of bilingualism, but analyses of interviews as life stories revealed the necessity of repeated reaffirmation of this…

Describes outcomes of Bassett School District's (in Orange County, California) implementation of the SCORE program, which helps at-risk students identify and stay focused on personal and academic goals. The program emphasizes study skills, academic support, guidance, parent involvement, and student motivation. Outcomes include an increase in the…

Evaluates differences between immersion and non-immersion university-level students' willingness to communicate, communication apprehension, perceived competence, and frequency of communicating . Also examines elements of integrative motivation. Differences between immersion and non-immersion groups are observed in the communication-related…