Studies the relationship between a teenager's current reading strategies and that same person's reading history. Shows how this investigation was carried out with a single teenager named Derek. Considers the difficulties and complex questions regarding attempts to define and analyze adolescent readers. (HB)

Suggests that the essence of whole language is students developing literate voices. Discusses a seven-month partnership in which the authors participated in and reflected on literature discussions with small groups of fourth graders. Explores how literate voices are developed in real classrooms. (RS)

Questions some new orthodoxies of British elementary education: fitness for purpose, planning based on subject order requirements, and differentiation (learning described by hierarchical levels). Teachers cannot implement National Curriculum goals without substantive professional development and deeper subject area knowledge. A fruitful change…

To provide an introduction to item-response theory (IRT) for individuals with modest statistical and mathematical skills, the book emphasizes a conceptual approach to understanding IRT concepts. The book fills the gap between mathematically detailed studies and summary chapters on IRT in general texts. (SLD)

One-parameter and three-parameter item response theory (IRT) model estimates were compared with estimates obtained from two modified one-parameter models that incorporated a constant nonzero guessing parameter. Using small-sample simulation data (50, 100, and 200 simulated examinees), modified 1-parameter models were most effective in estimating…

Discusses John Dewey's theory on ethics in education and the theory of deliberation, examining his views on emotion and ethical deliberation; emotion and aesthetic sensibility; use of research results in ethical deliberation; use of the scientific approach and scientific results; and emotion and aesthetics in scientific discovery. (SM)

The debate over how to educate gifted children reflects a larger conflict in American education: equity versus excellence. Many teachers see gifted programs as a challenge to their competence; others consider cooperative learning as a threat to the education of gifted students. (IAH)

The Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) was parameterized using the 2-parameter logistic item response (IRT) model. Two samples of 1,000 adults were used. Results suggest that the 2-parameter model fits the MPQ data, and researchers assessing normal-range personality processes have much to gain from exploiting IRT models. (TJH)

A model is presented for item responses when different subjects use different strategies, but only responses--not choice of strategy--can be observed. Substantive theory is used to differentiate the likelihoods of response vectors under a fixed set of strategies, and response probabilities are modeled via item parameters for each strategy. (TJH)

Measures how much voters learned about the issue positions of the 1988 presidential candidates and the images formed from campaign coverage and other information. Finds the debates influential on knowledge; higher levels of education and campaign interest related to more issue knowledge; and image knowledge predicted by party loyalty. Concludes…

A Finnish university medical school precedes its cadaver dissection course with lectures on death, dissection, and psychological response. Student surveys reveal that the lectures have created an awareness that has helped them through difficult situations and prevented dissipation of energy through emotional reaction. Long-term benefits are also…

Using simulated and real data, this study compares the performance of three methodologies for assessing unidimensionality: (1) DIMTEST; (2) the approach of Holland and Rosenbaum; and (3) nonlinear factor analysis. All three models correctly confirm unidimensionality, but they differ in their ability to detect the lack of unidimensionality.…

Investigates the work of mentoring as situated within electronic exchanges. Explores strategies used by mentors to communicate their readings and suggested revisions of student texts. Analyzes the mentor responses according to patterns formed and other factors. (HB)

Provides a framework for analyzing the multiple aspects of reader perspective in a teacher's approach to writing instruction. Analyzes one teacher's written comments on her students' papers. Shows how this teacher's responses demonstrated marked differences according to level of student or type of writing assignment. (HB)

Criteria used in the equating process proposed in the literature are reviewed. The discussion begins by examining how equating is defined. The controversy over the best criterion, the utility of some, and whether a criterion is needed at all means that much work needs to be done in this area. (SLD)