Tested serial work recall of young and old adults in an effort to examine developmental reserve capacity in old age. Results showed magnification of differences early in training, and prediction of posttraining scores by the digit symbol substitution variable. (BC)

At 30 months, children who were later considered dyslexic were deficient in length, sytactic complexity, and pronunciation of spoken language. At three years, children were deficit in receptive vocabulary and object-naming, and at five years, in phonemic awareness and letter-sound knowledge. These deficits were not found in normal reading children…

A study investigated the extent to which 2 Australian college entrance examinations, sex, and field of study predicted first-year performance of 1,695 students entering the University of Western Australia. Results show that in some fields, students are being admitted with an unacceptably low chance of successfully completing the first year. (MSE)

The effects of home environment on achievement in and attitudes toward computer literacy was studied via administration of a 37-item computer-literacy questionnaire to 193 public school students in grades 5 through 10. Home environment was a better predictor of attitudes toward computer learning than it was for student achievement. (SLD)

The work of J. Eccles and others (1983) in proposing an integrative theoretical model of achievement behaviors was extended using data from the Second International Mathematics Study. Strong support was found for the constructs identified by the model as determinants of the intention to take more mathematics courses. (SLD)

A study investigated the relationship of students' age, race, gender, father's occupation, anxiety, and field independence with grade point averages, first-term grades, and standardized test scores in 85 freshman medical students in a variety of courses. Implications of the findings for different fields are discussed. (MSE)

A study investigated the relationship of high school seniors' (n=44,259) standardized test scores to their achievement in related high school courses frequently required or recommended for college admission. Results suggest the quantity of courses taken does correlate positively with test scores. (MSE)

Reviews dropout characteristics; identifies the components of an overall dropout prevention approach; and describes the role of legislation, school administration, and public-private collaboratives in developing dropout prevention strategies. Emphasizes the use of public and private resources to improve the opportunities of the disadvantaged. (FMW)

Describes study of students in grades 8 through 12 that was conducted to determine the degree to which television messages influence a person's construction of reality (the cultivation hypothesis). Research methodology that tests the effects of television exposure is examined with emphasis on the importance of demographic control variables. (38…

Examines attitudinal variables (e.g., math anxiety, attitude toward success), locus of control, high school grade point average (HSGPA), and Scholastic Aptitude Test Quantitative (SATQ) scores as predictors of first-quarter grades in a developmental mathematics course. Reports that HSGPA, SATQ, and self-confidence were significant predictors of…

Describes a study that used a computer survey to investigate the relationship between computer attitudes and the selected variables of age, gender, and computer knowledge among adult basic education students in Texas. Hypotheses tested are explained, comparisons are made with a national sample, and recommendations for further studies are…

Examines teenage decision making for resolution of an unplanned pregnancy and the predictors of both the initial plan and the consistency of the adoption plan. Data from 162 pregnant adolescents reveal that the mother's preference strongly predicts the initial plan, and the birthfather's preference affects the consistency of adoption. (GLR)

The supportive relationships of 167 sixth graders with parents, teachers, and peers were examined in relation to motivation at school. Relations of perceived support from parents, teachers, and peers to student motivation differed depending on the source of support and motivational outcome. Peer support was a positive predictor of prosocial goal…

A study of 539 foster parents found that some of the factors influencing their satisfaction were feeling competent to handle placed children, wanting to take in children who needed loving parents, no regret about investment in foster children, foster mother's age, and agency social worker providing information and showing approval. (Author/CR)

A study examined the overlap between behaviors associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders and emergent literacy skills in 44 children from middle-income families and 41 Head Start children. Attention problems were associated with literacy skills in both groups, however, the effect was strongest for the middle-income group.…