Four-month intervention program gave adolescent mothers (n=76) major input in identifying knowledge they needed concerning their children's growth and their own parenting skills. Results revealed significant differences between participants' pre- and posttest scores on measures of infant and toddler development knowledge. Further analysis…

Investigated whether psychologists possess psychometric knowledge necessary to evaluate discrepancies within individual's test performance with sufficient accuracy to ensure reliable decision making. Only 8.7% of 287 school psychologists were able to correctly evaluate whether 4 sets of ability-achievement scores reflected chance measurement…

Examined differences among certified rehabilitation counselors (n=1,535) in level of importance attributed to various knowledge domains. Found that grouping respondents according to employment setting and job title accounted for most frequent differences in knowledge importance among all variables examined. Respondents' educational background and…

Responses from 2,121 of 3,200 professionals employed in aging indicated they used substantial aging-specific knowledge in the areas of health, program planning and policy, and services. All 14 knowledge items were used daily by 30%; some were used by as many as 70-80%. (SK)

Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz, Knowledge of Aging and the Elderly scale, and Aging Semantic Differential were completed by 387 college students aged 17-85. Knowledge scores were not related to measures of attitudes toward older adults. Older students had higher knowledge scores and more positive attitudes. (SK)

Surveyed knowledge, use, and attitudes about curriculum-based assessment (CBA) among school psychologists (n-228). Found that 46% of respondents had used CBA; but only 18% of users had used CBA consistently. Psychologists viewed CBA as less biased than published standardized tests for assessment of children from culturally diverse groups and…

The general monitoring skill hypothesis states that skilled adult learners monitor their comprehension using domain-general metacognitive knowledge and domain-specific knowledge. Results with 192 undergraduates indicate that monitoring skills are correlated across multiple domains and that individuals may possess separate monitoring skills for…

Discusses what is important in teaching and learning mathematics, mathematics curriculum, types of mathematical knowledge, and reform movements in these areas. (ASK)

Three experiments examined 3- to 5-year olds' understanding of the intended nature of pretend behavior. Found that 4-year olds understood intention as a mental cause of action and construed pretend behaviors mentalistically, but systematically associated ignorance of a specific animal with pretending to be that animal. Concludes that Lillard's…

Studied the effects of reading the "Weekly Reader" on children's knowledge of current events. Results from 2,331 urban and suburban elementary school students, aged 8 to 12, show increased knowledge of current events among younger children who used the "Weekly Reader," but the effect was less in grades 4 through 6. (SLD)

Undertook two studies (n=113 and n=55) a year apart, to create an instrument that measures nutritional competence and self-efficacy among prospective physicians. Results using Rasch modeling demonstrate the reliability and validity of the scale for assessing mastery of applied nutrition among prospective physicians. (SLD)

A study with 85 second graders found that naming speed accounted for a sizable amount of unique variance in reading with vocabulary and phonemic awareness partialled out. Marked difficulties on reading tasks were seen in students with both slow naming speed and low phonemic awareness, thus supporting the double deficit hypothesis of reading…

Examines the sexual practices of 235 females aged 15 to 19 years and their readiness to use specific contraceptive methods. Results indicate that, despite the availability of newer contraceptive methods, most sexually active adolescents were least resistant to using condoms, perceiving the male condom as an acceptable preventative both for…

The average score of 44 nursing-home nurses on a nutrition knowledge questionnaire was 65%. Scores of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses were significantly different. Nutritional assessment activity correlated with nutritional knowledge. The need for further training regarding nutritional concerns of nursing-home residents was…

A British survey of dietary awareness and food preferences received 7,825 replies from 9,600 children in years 7 and 10. Although aware of the link between fat consumption and heart disease, many lacked knowledge about the fat content of foods and ways to make healthy lifestyle choices. (SK)