The possibility that the ability measure activation savings is related to practiced skill, not because of cognitive overlap, but because of the proximity of savings' measurement to measurement of practiced skill was assessed with 404 military trainees. Implications for individual difference research of test-proximity effects are discussed. (SLD)

American education is stuck on well-intentioned, deeply traditional, but flawed ideas about teaching and learning. Failure to acknowledge a school's synergistic quality either paralyzes faculty or smothers changes already introduced. Pretending that serious restructuring can be done without honest confrontation is a cruel illusion. (MLH)

The study examined the range of reading skills in 2,812 general education students in grades 1-6 attending 34 elementary schools. Results documented a wide range of reading skills both within and across grades. Findings are discussed in terms of relations between general and special education. (Author/DB)

When students are taught with approaches matching their preferences as identified in Rita Dunn's "Learning Style Inventory," they demonstrate statistically higher achievement and attitude test scores than when taught with approaches mismatching their preferences. Learning styles must be identified with a reliable instrument, because…

It is argued that the relative scoring method used to score the Ways of Coping Checklist introduces an artifact that confounds multivariate analyses and ignores the individual's general reactivity to the problem. Multivariate analysis is shown to suggest an intricate structural relationship between components of coping and depression. (SLD)

Examined ways to create accessibility to generic chemical dependency treatment for people with learning differences. Conducted key informant survey of chemical dependency workers and developmental disabilities workers to determine needs of chemical dependency treatment programs, staff, and people with learning differences in making treatment…

A flexible class of stochastic mixture models is introduced and illustrated for analysis and interpretation of individual differences in recurrent choice and other types of count data. These models are derived by specifying elements of the choice process at the individual level. An easy-to-implement algorithm is presented for parameter estimation.…

The impact of individual differences on the performance of roles of learner and learning facilitator was studied during dyadic cooperative learning with 80 college students in same-sex groups of 4. The learner role accounted for more than 70% of the variance in total recall. The influence of cognitive and rapport factors is discussed. (SLD)

When spatial ability was regressed on a measure of general intelligence in a large national sample of 12th graders, a bimodal distribution of spatial ability was found among low scoring students, suggesting two qualitatively different types of individuals. Characteristics of these students are discussed, and an organic impairment is suggested as…

Describes the Constructive Discipline model as a preventive positive approach for managing behavior problems in school settings. Compares Constructive Discipline with traditional discipline approaches and stresses the need to clarify discipline policy, provide considerable staff support, and make allowances for individual student differences in…

Commentary discusses two components of "The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life." First, evidence is presented demonstrating central role intelligence plays in American life; second is Spearman's g, the general factor underlying individual differences involving cognitive ability. Concludes that data does not…

The brain needs energy, oxygen, and water to operate. Access to the bathroom pass can become a major conflict between teachers and students and has great potential for disrupting classes. The classroom can be humanized by granting more bathroom passes and allowing water bottles. (MLH)

Tested 101 adults, aged 77, who had completed psychometric intelligence testing in 1932, with the same test of mental ability. Results of this study, the longest follow-up study reported to date, show substantial stability in mental ability differences from childhood to late life. (SLD)

This study compared social learning styles of distance education students (N=40) and equivalent on-campus students (N=63) in health education classes. Comparison on the Grasha-Reichmann Student Learning Style Scales found distance students favored independent learning styles whereas students in the on-campus class were significantly more dependent…

Presents data showing that the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory's (CDI) large variability, lack of stability, and insufficient ability to predict early language delay are authentic reflections of individual differences in early language development rather than measurement deficiencies. Responds to critiques regarding sociodemographic…