Describes a study examining the effects of a new, reform-driven secondary mathematics curriculum (the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project) on retaining students in the mathematics pipeline. In all three sites studied, the UCSMP curriculum led to slightly fewer math dropouts. Ability and school/socioeconomic effects may be more…

This literature review explores needs assessment in 12 disciplines based on a comprehensive search of 12 databases. Topics discussed include how and why needs assessments are conducted; prioritization of needs; use of selected needs assessment variables across disciplines; implications for performance technology; and future challenges. (Contains…

Examined children's individual developmental functions in observed inhibited behavior toward strangers and in teacher judgments of inhibition in school. Found that IQ and teacher judgments of social competence predicted a decrease in both measures of inhibition from ages 4 through 10 years, suggesting that more intelligent or socially competent…

Longitudinally examined effects of infertility on marital and global life quality with 174 infertile couples and 74 fertile couples. By third interview, 42% of infertile couples and 36% of fertile couples were parents. Psychosocial predictors of life quality were highly similar for members of infertile and fertile couples and for couples with and…

Comments on van Geert's mathematical model of Vygotsky's zone of proximal development, in this issue. Supports van Geert's use of a nonlinear model, noting that linear statistical models overlook variability in psychological phenomena. Discusses the time asymmetry in van Geert's model, which does not account for a subject's "developmental…

Parental divorce is associated with negative views of marriage among children of divorce but also increases the likelihood of early marriage because adult responsibilities are often assumed at an earlier age. Therefore, research indicates both promarriage and antimarriage tendencies within this group. The most salient factors in determining these…

This paper considers methodological issues related to the independent variable in early intervention research. Three standards are proposed: (1) use theory to guide research; (2) provide operational definitions of independent variables, quantify them, and describe how they relate to theory; and (3) measure treatment fidelity. Three levels of…

Investigated how analysis of intake information, including psychological symptom status, would discriminate between male and female returners and nonreturners to postintake counseling. Findings from 261 clients at university counseling center revealed distinct psychological symptom statuses and demographic profiles of female and male nonreturners…

Thirty-eight healthy females measured maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) on the cycle ergometer and treadmill to compare five exercise tests (run, walk, step, and two tests using heart-rate response on the bicycle ergometer) in predicting VO2max. Results indicate that walk and run tests are satisfactory predictors of VO2max in 30- to 39-year-old…

Results of a study to develop predictive models of student success in intermediate accounting suggest that an internally generated diagnostic examination score and overall grade point average are most closely related to the course grade in the first semester. (JOW)

Used data from 441 new nursing home residents to examine physical restraint use in high and low restraint use homes. Predictors of restraint use during first month and first year were inability to transfer and combination of severe activities of daily living impairment and cognitive impairment. Other predictors: wandering, inability to dress,…

Examined reports of one physically abused child from each of 789 families. Results of ordinal probit regression analysis identified that model with four predictors (perpetrator identity, reporter identity, severity of allegations, and season report was made) and two interaction terms (child's age by mother's age and child's age by child's gender)…

This paper reviews research describing developmentally typical and atypical repetitive motor movements of children with and without disabilities. It then reports findings of a study of nine preschool-aged children with developmental delay and atypical stereotypies. Predictors of repetitive movements included level of functioning, age, ambulation,…

Extends previous research by examining empirically the relationship of message delivery and content to perceptions of leader charisma. Indicates that, although both delivery and content play a role in the development of perceptions of charisma, the impact of delivery is stronger. Reveals that the attentive, relaxed, friendly, and dominant style…

A survey of 1,482 high school students in spring and fall 1986 resulted in confirmation of the Problem Behavior Theory as a predictor of drinking and driving among adolescents. Environmental, behavioral, and demographic factors account for 50 percent of the variance in drinking and driving. (SK)