Four procedures for improving the performance of nine motor tasks were compared with six physically handicapped and mentally retarded Canadian Ss, ages 12-25, five of whom were cerebral palsied. (BB)

Using a modified Posner "encoding function" methodology, group differences in semantic encoding speed were assessed under conditions in which subjects encoded pictures of common objects to determine physical identity matches, name identity matches, and superordinate identity matches. Results of primary interest revealed group differences in basic…

This investigation examined the three-year stability of WISC-R IQs for a balanced sample of Anglo, Black, and Mexican-American handicapped children. No significant differences in mean IQs were found across the three ethnic groups, although WISC-R Verbal and Performance IQs varied significantly over the test-retest period. (Author/BS)

Reports correlations between the High School Personality Questionnaire and various indices of school achievement and compares the validities with prior studies. Uses three achievement scores: self-reported high-school grades, parent-reported high-school grades several years after the testing, and college grades several years after the testing. The…

Discusses the ACTFL/ETS Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in relation to current models of communicative skills and argues that the OPI fails to measure important aspects of communicative ability. Two Situation Tests, one written and one oral, are described as alternative measures of communicative ability. Examples are given in Appendices.…

Receptive and expressive vocabulary tests were administered to 100 Indian and 106 non-Indian students in grades 1-3. Mean scores for Indian students were significantly lower on both tests. For Indian students only, the difference between the mean scores of the two tests was significant, with expressive scores lower than receptive. (JHZ)

Examine the predictive validity of Kaufman's short form of the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities for 74 Mexican-American children. Comparisons between the McCarthy General Cognitive Index (GCI) and Kaufman's estimated CGI with academic achievement showed that the conventional McCarthy and Kaufman's short form predicted achievement about…

Compared Bender-Gestalt performance of 452 Navajo children with 1974 Koppitz and System of Multicultural Pluralistic Assessment norms (SOMPA), and investigated the use of the Bender-Gestalt for diagnosing learning disabilities. Results suggested the Koppitz and SOMPA White norms may be useful in psychological assessment of Navajo children. (JAC)

This research review examines the findings of those studies of empirically sound methodology which compare matching groups of abused and non-abused children. The evidence consistently demonstrates detrimental consequences in intellectual, emotional, and social development. (Author/DST)

Investigated concerns, needs, and other characteristics of interpersonal relationships of adolescents (N=655) as reflected by stories written in response to pictures of people. Subjects were high school students and reformatory residents. Analysis indicated predominant themes were affiliation, aggression, achievement (sports), and drugs. Personal…

Compared the impact of a live theatrical performance and/or alcohol lesson plans on 716 grade 9 and 10 Canadian students. Results indicated that all interventions had an impact on attitudes and behavior and offered encouragement for the potential of theatrical performances as a vehicle for drug education. (LLL)

Article presents a study to determine whether the apparent benefits of ITA over TO were long-lasting or ephemeral. (Author)