The purpose of this study was to examine the temporal patterns of approach-avoidance achievement goals, implicit theories of ability and perceived competence in physical education across the transition from primary to secondary school. We also evaluated the predictive utility of implicit theories and perceived competence with regard to achievement…

Within achievement goal theory debate remains regarding the adaptiveness of certain combinations of goals. Assuming a multiple-goals perspective, we used cluster analysis to classify 1002 undergraduate students according to their mastery and performance-approach goals. Four clusters emerged, representing different goal combinations: high…

The leadership identity development (LID) grounded theory (Komives, Owen, Longerbeam, Mainella, & Osteen, 2005) and related LID model (Komives, Longerbeam, Owen, Mainella, & Osteen, 2006) present a framework for understanding how individual college students develop the social identity of being collaborative, relational leaders…

Standardized testing for college admissions has grown exponentially since the first administration of the old "College Boards" in 1901. This paper surveys major developments since then: the introduction of the "Scholastic Aptitude Test" in 1926, designed to tap students' general analytic ability; E.F. Lindquist's creation of…

The present study replicates and extends the work of Frankhauser, Tso, and Martella (2001) using 6 first-grade students in a multiple baseline design across participants to determine if the addition of three repeated readings following "Reading Mastery I and II" (Engelmann & Bruner, 1995) lessons improves student fluency beyond that expected…

Keller's Personalized System of Instruction dominated the literature in the teaching of psychology and behavior analysis in the 1970s and 1980s. After this brief flourish of interest, PSI research trickled off to a nearly imperceptible stream in the 1990s. However, with the increasing availability and ease of use of computers and the internet,…

The personalized system of instruction (PSI) is presented as a teaching system with characteristics that render it especially vulnerable to being misused or abused by teachers, students, and administrators. Examples are provided along with reasons why misuse and abuse may contribute to negative attitudes about the system. (Author)

Examines the relations of levels of task engagement to investigation and visual attention in data from 30-month-old children. Finds significant correlations between task and other mastery behavior. Postulates task engagement as valid assessment of mastery behavior. Suggests the motivation for young children's play is acquisition and mastery of…

Classroom use of the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) was investigated by sending questionnaires to three groups: early (before 1975) users of PSI, recent (after 1975) users, and current chairpersons of psychology departments. Data from all three sources suggest that fewer PSI courses are being taught and that many depart substantially…

Although much recent attention has focused on gaps in the achievement of different groups of students, the problem has been with us for decades. This paper presents the problem as one of reducing variation in students' achievement, and reviews the work of renowned educator Benjamin Bloom on this problem. Bloom argued that to reduce variation in…

Two school districts in southwest Washington resolved practical concerns related to the mastery learning of writing skills. (Author/MLF)

Gauged the impact of mastery and relative-ability appraisal goals on observational behaviors of 230 children of 4-10 years. Results confirmed that younger children observe others in order to develop mastery, but older children observe to assess relative ability. (RJC)

Outlines a framework for developing an environmental program based on learning outcomes. Discusses the advantages to using an outcome-based program and four steps suggested for development of the program. (LZ)

Single time latent class models are extended to situations in which measurements are repeated across time. The static approach is extended using multiple indicator Markov chain models. Problems associated with these models are discussed, and their applicability is demonstrated with data from a longitudinal study on solving arithmetic word…

This study tested the hypothesis that self-regulation of writing is a multifaceted modular construct and that students would perceive different goal orientations for writing as involving the application of different writing strategies. Two hundred eleven Jewish Israeli high school students engaged in a writing assignment and then reported on their…