A study examined the effects of two factors--learner ability and modifications of instruction through increased feedback and reduced size of instructional units--on the time required for learning and the retention of fourth-grade male students. While instructional modifications best predicted the time needed for learning, learner ability best…

Examined factors related to intentions to use drugs in the future by urban junior high school students (N=148). The results indicated that current drug use, friends' drug use, attitude toward drugs and self-concept all play an important role in the adolescent's intentions to use drugs. (JAC)

Reviews research focusing on teacher influence on student academic outcomes. Findings on both sides of the issue are discussed; reasons for the indeterminancy of findings are specified; and relationships between presage, context, process, and product classroom variables are discussed. (RH)

Data on college bound students from several suburban Philadelphia communities were statistically analyzed, and it was found students could be grouped according to the characteristics of the institutions they applied to, in no more than eight stable choice sets. Implications for policy formation are discussed. (MSE)

The hypothesis that the relationship between medical school achievement and postgraduate performance would vary by specialty was confirmed in a comparison of grades, standardized medical exams, and ratings in four areas of competence (medical knowledge, data-gathering skills, clinical judgment, and professional attitudes) in internal medicine,…

The academic records and other characteristics of freshmen in a Spanish university were analyzed to determine the optimal predictors of academic performance in the university. Secondary school grades, academic achievement tests, and university exams were the best predictors. Implications for admissions and counseling are discussed. (MSE)

Investigated behavioral differences between high- and low-achieveing inner-city children (N=136) using the academic engaged time model. Findings suggested that high- and low-achieving inner-city children spend a large proportion of time engaged in academic tasks, with high achievers spending somewhat more time than low achievers. (WAS)

This conclusion of an article started last issue proposes a model for assessing teacher effectiveness that identifies six categories of independent variables (teacher and student characteristics, experiences, and properties), one of process variables (teacher and student behaviors and interactions), and one of dependent variables (immediate and…

A study investigated whether preassessments of general and specific knowledge can predict children's listening comprehension. Topical knowledge, assessed by multiple-choice questions, did predict story comprehension; topical interest, however, did not correlate either with topical knowledge or comprehension. (Authors/PP)

A study of the variety of primary care services provided by a 1977 dental school class's graduates in practice showed no correlation with urban or rural location, but the variety of services was predicted by the dentist's position in the practice and his predental school values, dental school aptitudes, and dental school achievement. (Author/MSE)

The relationship of life experience prior to the admission to medical school to clinical performance was studied. Age, prior military experience, and educational background were found to be related to clinical performance. The presence of an interest/motivational factor was presented and discussed. (Author/MLW)

Discusses Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and the family's resultant grief process. Explores SIDS as a family crisis, and by identifying the psychological factors or tasks pertinent to family adjustment, proposes a SIDS Family Adjustment Scale which assists in recognizing adaptive and maladaptive grief responses. (Author)

The 1963 freshman class accumulated a graduation rate of 15 percent over four years, 31 percent over five years, and 42 percent over 11 years. First semester grade point average is a useful predictor of academic success. It separates graduates from nongraduates, and roughly predicts time to graduate and semesters attended for nongraduates. (MSE)

Utilized 1961-1969 data from the Study of Academic Prediction and Growth to examine (1) why some students are placed in college tracks and others not, and (2) why track placement closely predicts future educational outcomes. Found that prior academic experience and accomplishment, especially early foreign language study, are important course…

Affirmed that verbal behaviors (time speaking, initiated assertions, referrals received and first-person statements) were related to self-traits as measured by personality measures and a subjective self-report. The results are indicative of a proactive-reactive dimension of social interaction from both self and behavioral perspectives. (Author)