Argues that to understand differences in academic achievement among students of various genders, ethnic groups, or socioeconomic backgrounds, educators must look beyond differences in test scores to examine indicators associated with academic performance. Highlights academic-related indicators in the school improvement process: (1) educational…

A study of 40 medical students who used an interactive child abuse computer simulation to learn clinical reasoning skills found that students thought the exercise was both interesting and educational. Performance on the simulation was not related to gender or experience but was related to academic performance. (CR)

A qualitative evaluation of the system for appraisal of headteachers in the United Kingdom identifies strengths and weaknesses of the approach taken and directions for future policy development. Data came from interviews with 15 headteachers. Inadequate resources, appraisal criteria, and performance standards hamper the evaluation system. (SLD)

Examined whether children's causality beliefs about school performance show similar developmental profiles across six distinct sociocultural settings. Found markedly similar developmental patterns in their beliefs about the importance of effort, ability, luck, teachers, and unknown factors as influences on school performance. Found that factors…

A study compared language development and social competence among 96 preschool children with disabilities in inclusive and segregated classes. Pretest ability was the strongest predictor of progress. Subjects in inclusive classes had higher posttest scores in language development and social skills, but more behavior problems, than peers in…

Points out the following problems with standardized testing and reforms at the middle school level: (1) misalignment of test-based reforms and standards-based reforms; (2) geographic disadvantages; and (3) disadvantages for learning disabled. Presents example of two students' standardized test scores as illustrations of the non-alignment problem.…

This study examined cultural differences and similarities in socialization during free play and a waiting task among Japanese mothers and their preschoolers temporarily residing in the United States and U.S. mothers and their preschoolers. Findings suggest an emphasis on autonomy among U.S. dyads and an emphasis on relatedness among Japanese…

Interviewed adolescents in grades 9 through 12 to examine family closeness as either mediator or moderator of relationships between intense work and academic engagement. Found that for boys, the family closeness mediational model provided best fit for data; for girls, the moderator model fit best. Found girls were especially vulnerable to negative…

Case studies of six young women with learning disabilities revealed three career development phases: unsettled, exploratory, and focused. Phases varied along two dimensions stability of employment and clarity of career goals. Key elements influencing career development included motivation and determination, family support, career exploration…

A study compared the implicit learning of 58 children (ages 7-14) with mental retardation and 53 controls (ages 3-8). Individuals with mental retardation modified their behavior after an implicit training procedure similar to the controls. The effect of implicit learning did not vary as a function of IQ or age. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A study investigated the mathematical problem-solving abilities of 18 fourth-graders with mathematics disabilities (MD) with and without comorbid reading disabilities (RD). Results demonstrated large deficits for both groups. However, the differences between students with and without RD were mediated by the level of problem solving and by…

A study examined protective and vulnerability factors in 214 foster children (ages 7-12). Youth and caregivers were interviewed six months following placement and six years later. Several control variables (age, ethnicity, abuse type, and behavior problems) and psychosocial predictor variables (social support and self-perception) were related to…

Discussion of the effects of embedded learning aids in computer-based learning (CBL) on performance and anxiety level focuses on a study of undergraduates that investigated the effects of relaxation and imagery guidance on recall and anxiety level. Discusses implications for future research and possible long-term benefits to learning habits.…

Experiment 1 suggested that age differences in line-drawing interpretation among subjects between 6 and 24 years reflected changes in short-term memory for features and changes in strategies used to integrate features over space and time. Experiment 2 suggested that older observers were more active in their attempts to interpret drawings and that…

Describes two research projects in the United Kingdom to illustrate a social systems approach to the evaluation of computer-based information systems which encompasses organizational, social, and political factors. The relevance of this research to a developing country context is discussed and implications are drawn for research, education, and…