Explains a case study in Retrospective Miscue Analysis (RMA), a process which enables readers to discuss the underlying logic of their miscues. Concludes that RMA is a powerful tool in crafting and guiding reading instruction. Notes that when the student subject was encouraged to use reading strategies that worked for him, he became empowered as a…

A national survey of 1,289 elementary teachers and focus groups examined effects of state testing programs on instructional practices and implications for gifted students' motivation. Results suggest that testing programs are likely to discourage effective classroom practices and instead lead to teachers engaging in one-size-fits-all practices.…

Describes the types of problems young children generated in problem-posing situations as they worked, on a one-to-one basis, with a student teacher. Indicates that problem-posing actions of students can be nurtured by teachers' actions. (Author/KHR)

Describes a high school summer reading program that was developed to encourage a lifelong habit of reading for pleasure by assembling a booklist of fiction and nonfiction titles, each sponsored by an administrator or teacher who then led a discussion of that book in the fall. (LRW)

Examines 51 language learning background features in order to describe a limited set of those features that most clearly differentiate among three learner success groups. Findings reveal that family influences, early exposure to English, and language contact opportunities are of particular importance when considering high success versus medium- or…

Describes the Community Reading Month (CRM) initiative in Iowa City, Iowa; its goals are to promote the value of reading and to build a sense of community. Topics include the development of CRM, increased reading scores of Iowa City's elementary school students, activities for people of all ages, and planning and evaluation. (AEF)

Researchers examined how different reading and language arts assignments influenced third graders' (N=187) motivational goals, strategy use, and achievement affect. Teachers (N=8) modified assignments to increase students' complex writing and peer collaboration. Evaluation indicated students became less focused on teacher approval or normative…

Researchers at the University of Utrecht (Netherlands) examined preservice physics teachers' motives for attending an orientation course, noting how the motives developed and changed. Periodic surveys indicated that students had five motives, the most important being desire to learn whether they wanted to be secondary teachers (followed by…

Examined levels of burnout and relationships between burnout and selected personality characteristics and role expectations in a sample of school psychologists employed as practitioners in school settings. Results indicated personality variables related significantly to burnout over and above demographic and work condition variables. Implications…

Examines vital design issues pertaining to the "Online Self-Test," a simple solution for dealing with concerns about lack of time and lack of motivation in distance education. Presents experiences gained during the implementation of the Online Self-Test Center for Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nashik, India, and…

A study examining the impact of ancestral cultural knowledge on student motivation surveyed 61 Mexican American students at a Southwestern middle school before and after a 3-day program on Mesoamerican culture. Findings indicated that students' sense of cultural awareness and voluntary reading preferences were enhanced. Culturally relevant…

Discusses the increase in online plagiarism and what school librarians can do to help. Topics include the need for school district policies on plagiarism; teaching students what plagiarism is; pertinent Web sites; teaching students proper research skills; motivation for cheating; and requiring traditional sources of information for student…

Examined choices made by adolescent girls in physical education classes when allowed to select from nine walking activities reflecting four themes (social, exercise/fitness, game-like, or competition). Students were significantly more likely to choose social over exercise/fitness activities, game-like or competitive over exercise/fitness…

A study examined family influences on reading motivation in Latino children. Surveys and interviews with 18 Latino students in an urban southwestern elementary school and their parents indicated that as domestic workload increased, the value children placed on reading decreased. The more time families spent together and on religious literacy…

Offers five reasons to stop use of positive social reinforcement, or praise, with young children. Maintains that praise manipulates children by taking advantage of their need for adult approval and exploits that dependence for adult convenience, creates "praise junkies," steals the child's pride in his or her own accomplishment, reduces interest…