In describing several pitfalls associated with research on school and teacher effectiveness, the following aspects of effectiveness research are considered: correlation-causation relationship, controlling for background factors, statistical and practical significance, instrumentation problems, regression effects, measurement of change, nonlinear…

This article reports on the effects of a training program on teacher behavior, student achievement, and student attitudes toward mathematics. Results suggest that the timing of the training affected student achievement. No effect on student attitude was determined. Participants were 32 eighth grade Dutch mathematics teachers. (IAH)

Finds that, among 168 Mexican and Puerto Rican children in grades two, four, and seven, television viewing was positively related to reading comprehension and vocabulary scores, but the relationships differed by ethnicity, grade, level of English proficiency, and time of day of television viewing. Contains 17 references. (SV)

Presents some results from a research project that inquired into the relationship between learning at school and learning at work and the relationship of these two types of learning in the area of vocational training. Results show a high correlation between grades obtained in different subjects at vocational school and assessments by vocational…

A study of 188 Texas education majors suggests that ACT (American College Testing) scores and GPA are reliable predictors of success on the PPST (Pre-Professional Skills Test) and the ExCET (Examination for Certification of Educators in Texas). Implications for teacher educators are considered. (IAH)

Describes telephone survey of undergraduate students at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst that was conducted to determine student opinions of policies that require them to take computer courses and/or to own a personal computer. Student attitudes toward computing and the variables that contribute to these attitudes are examined. (15…

Examines relationships among teachers' and students' sense of efficacy, thinking skills, and student achievement. Results demonstrate clear relationships among the thinking, efficacy, and achievement of students; but relationships between teacher and student measures were ambiguous. Suggests that higher efficacy teachers tend to have a more…

A survey of 136 high-school physical educators found that perceived teacher competence significantly influenced the educators' attitudes toward teaching students with handicaps. No relation was found between the attitudes of physical educators and: gender, age, courses about students with handicaps, degree earned, or experience teaching students…

This comparison of regression discrepancy model results for learning disability identification used published IQ-achievement and reliability coefficients and generic, mean values. Use of mean IQ-achievement values resulted in higher discrepancy rates for a clinical sample. Use of both mean IQ-achievement and reliability values resulted in higher…

Surveys the use of information technology and related factors by researchers in the biological sciences in the United Kingdom. Information environments, background variables, communication activities, use of computers, and publishing activity are discussed; and results are compared with an earlier study of researchers in all sciences. (LRW)

This first in a series of essays on electric writing focuses on communication efforts of the preceding oral, written, and print cultures. Topics discussed include face-to-face versus distant communication; political power; correlations between social structure and access to information; information accumulation; costs; authorship; and the content…

Describes a study to determine if the personality traits of students in televised college-level courses differ from those of students in traditional courses, and to identify the specific traits predictive of successful performance in televised classes. Results showed that telecourse students do have a unique profile and traits for success. (LRW)

Investigated potential correlations between personal, family, and educational background factors and unplanned teen pregnancy. Significant differences among respondents were related to family relationships, race/ethnicity, and sexuality education. Findings provide information for family science researchers, family life educators, health personnel,…

Volunteer participants (n=77) enrolled in 8 substance abuse treatment facilities were surveyed in order to examine the prevalence and nature of incest contacts among the group. Results indicated that approximately 49 percent of the participants had reported histories of incest. Data are presented under various parameters. Also gives comparisons by…

Examined patterns of racial identity expression for 174 black adolescent females and 111 black adolescent males. Results from the Black Racial Identity Attitude Scale reveal that black adolescents widely endorse internalization attitudes that represent a healthy, self-defined racial transcendence. Females endorsed less preencounter attitudes…