Describes a five-step approach to performance management which includes (1) redefining tasks; (2) identifying skills; (3) determining what development tools are necessary; (4) prioritizing skills development; and (5) developing an action plan. Presents a hiring model that includes job analysis, job description, selection, goal setting, evaluation,…

This study compared the speech recognition performance of 4 groups of 10 adults--young listeners with either normal or impaired hearing and elderly listeners with either normal or impaired hearing. Age effects were observed primarily in multiple degradation conditions featuring time compression of the stimuli. Results suggest a change in…

Writing involves two abilities, only one of which can be taught. Competence, which cannot be taught, is unconscious knowledge of language, which is acquired by hearing it repeatedly. The second ability, performance, can be taught to those with competence. Its components are confidence, process knowledge, and reinforcement. (JOW)

Reports on a study that investigated the effects of subject knowledge and search experience on tactics used by novices and experienced searchers in online searches. Results of an experiment conducted with 32 undergraduate students and 32 professional searchers, and implications of the findings for system design are discussed. (52 references) (KRN)

Discusses effects of test question order on student performance. Addresses (1) differences in the distribution of scores on each form of the examination; (2) effects on the validity of individual examination items; and (3) effects on the reliability of the examination instrument. Concludes that distribution of examination scores may be influenced…

Suggests a process for evaluating and planning integrated optical jukebox storage systems. Considerations regarding architecture and system performance are summarized, and a modeling program for tailoring system response to specific applications is presented. Five robotics algorithms are examined to illustrate different hardware configurations.…

Discusses how Perkins Act mandates for accountability in vocational education necessitate modification of performance standards and measures for special populations. (SK)

Organizational change may benefit performance and survival chances if it occurs in response to dramatic restructuring of environmental conditions and builds on established routines and competencies. These propositions are tested on the savings and loan industry in California, which has experienced technological, economic, and regulatory shifts…

Students (n=150) ages 11, 14, and 17 were asked to explain the meanings of 24 different idiomatic expressions. Performance on the task gradually improved as subject age increased. High-familiarity idioms were easier to explain than moderate-familiarity or low-familiarity expressions. Easier idioms tended to be more transparent. (Author/JDD)

This paper reviews limitations in the interpretations of group differences in studies that use younger, language-matched controls in addition to age-matched controls to examine the role of "language level" on performance. Problems arise because of the multidimensional nature of language, extraneous age effects associated with language matching,…

A survey of 39 elementary special education teachers in Colorado indicated that more respondents had knowledge of Down's syndrome than of fetal alcohol or fragile X syndromes. Respondents' level of education, date of most recent degree, and years of experience were not associated with greater awareness nor knowledge of fragile X syndrome.…

Using examples from public libraries and community parks and recreation, the author argues that increased emphasis on relevant performance comparisons with other local governments and appropriate standards could capture public attention and encourage greater accountability. (SK)

Students with severe/profound mental retardation performed functional tasks under training or probe conditions. Analysis of nine students' records indicated that students do not react to probe conditions as if they were extinction conditions; training data do not consistently reflect performance under probe conditions; and data collected under…

Sixty eight year olds in tutor-tutee pairs on two tasks (spatial-numeric and item recall) benefited from elaboration (being taught principles guiding task performance). However, when child-tutors generated their own principles for guiding learning, performance was not improved. (SK)

Etiology-specific profiles of intellectual abilities were compared in 30 males (ages 6-12) with fragile X syndrome, Down's syndrome, or nonspecific mental retardation using the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children. All three groups scored lower on sequential processing than on simultaneous processing or achievement, and etiology-specific…