Discusses findings of a cross-cultural study of the relation between self-perception of academic competence and achievement, and attribution of achievement to effort or ability. Considers problems in fitting Anglo-American motivation theory with Russian schooling practice. Calls for culturally sensitive, multimethod approaches in which individual…

Examined selected contextual variables, their impact on test performance, and how the variables interact with the type of test accommodation that a student received. Data from 849 eighth graders suggest that numerous student and classroom-level variables are associated with mathematics test performance, English reading proficiency in particular.…

Examined the relations between normative developmental transitions, contextual influences, and life-stage outcomes, such as academic achievement, for African American males. Data from a longitudinal study in a large southeastern U.S. city indicated that negative stereotyping and tracking from early experience in educational settings affected black…

A biopsychosocial model of the development of adolescent chronic conduct problems is presented and supported through a review of empirical findings. The model posits that biological dispositions and sociocultural contexts place certain children at risk in early life but that life experiences with parents, peers, and social institutions increment…

This overview reflects on the determinants and practice of child rearing in Australia over the past century, examining prevailing theories of children and childhood over this time and outlining key societal shifts affecting family life and the parent role. The article illustrates challenges facing researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and…

Using national longitudinal data on 10,860 adolescents, a comparative analysis of community contextual effects on delinquency examined variables derived from three theories. Youths in areas of high male joblessness who experienced stressful life events or little parental supervision were especially likely to be involved in delinquency. The…

Studied 51 imprisoned male offenders who reported having stopped or reduced their alcohol consumption without formal intervention to discover which self-control strategies helped them change. Most commonly used strategies involved social change: finding alternative activities, avoiding heavy-drinking friends, and avoiding situations where heavy…

Discusses staff development, examining data from a project involving the University of Houston and seven schools. Teacher interviews revealed five dimensions of school context affecting opportunities for their professional development (interpersonal, structural, individual, leadership, and synergistic). (SM)

Discusses the differences between mathematical problem solving typically used in the classroom and problem solving that is a part of everyday situations out of school. Suggests some teaching methods to align classroom instruction with the real world. Seventeen references are listed. (YP)

Examined effects of orthographic context on the letter recognition skills of dyslexic children, comparing their performance to that of adults and of chronological and reading age-matched groups. Results showed that the two matched groups showed strong word superiority effect (WSE) for words and pseudowords over nonwords. Dyslexic readers did not…

Effective deliberation in teaching relies upon situational appreciation. This article examines some of the central issues and confusing claims in the current debate over the notion of practical arguments as a way of better understanding how teachers think when they deliberate about what to do in the classroom. (IAH)

Experiments revealed that children seemed able to integrate multiple sources of information but were more dependent on clue support and generally less likely to infer reason than adults. Children were more likely than adults to reject premise as an explanation of outcome. Only fourth-graders and adults modified inferences in response to resolution…

Discusses the changing knowledge base for pedagogy, the domain of the pedagogical sciences, and the intersection between these pedagogical sciences and culture. The paper draws on cultural psychology as a basis for pedagogy and details the implications for teacher education of the view that knowledge is shaped by the cultural contexts in which it…

Analyzes teacher professionalism as an outcome of collegial interaction in local school contexts, drawing on a multiyear study in 16 high schools. Data suggest that professionalism evolves within active learning communities but also suggest some tension between a strong service ethic and the technical culture within some schools. (SLD)

Systematically explored how three different initial training contexts affect children's and adults' interpretation of novel action verbs. Subjects included 54 3-yearolds, 60 10-year olds, and 60 college-age adults. Findings suggest a hierarchy of verb learning strategies, especially among the youngest children. (DR)