A study examined phonological awareness in 17 children with Down syndrome (ages 9-14). Children demonstrated measurable levels of phonological awareness. Significant positive correlations were found among phonological awareness and reading and spelling competence, and ability to spell non-words and non-verbal measures. (Contains references.)…

A study involving 47 families of individuals (ages 4-34) with autism and severe mental retardation found the familial loading for autism and for the broader phenotype was closely comparable to that in a study of children with higher IQ autism, and different from that for children with Down syndrome. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Discusses empirical studies conducted between 1950 and 1970 examining the relations between psychological characteristics of students and subsequent high school dropout. Results clarified some methodological requirements for research on school completion and suggested that social and emotional variables explain some of the variance in school…

Explored sixth graders' sexual behavior and behavior intentions, analyzing health-related risk behaviors and constructs from social support and social cognitive theories based on race and gender regarding their predictive value for students having sexual intercourse. Survey data indicated that very few students had sexual intercourse or other high…

Tests of phonology, semantics, and syntax were administered to 52 preschool children (ages 4-6) with speech sound disorders. Language impairment at school-age (ages 8-11) related to poor performance on preschool tests of syntax and nonsense word repetition, while reading impairment was predicted by poor performance in all preschool test domains.…

A study of 41 students who had special education histories and who were recommended for expulsion found most students exhibited additional emotional and behavioral risk factors or were experiencing stressful family circumstances. Conduct problems that accompanied disabling conditions were likely to lead to full expulsion hearings or dismissal from…

Argues that the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) should be discarded in college admissions since quality of the student's high school curriculum is a better predictor of college graduation and is the only factor that educators can modify. Also addresses concerns about the SAT and race, and the effort to identify student "strivers" whose…

Meta-analysis of the A-not-B error was conducted, using logistic regression, on studies conducted before September 1997. Results replicated earlier findings, with exception that the number of trials at the A location was a significant predictor, and the number of locations was a significant predictor of the proportion of infants who searched…

The purpose of this study is to ascertain whether hardiness can be used by student affairs professionals to identify students (N=63) having difficulties with academic, social, emotional, and attachment adjustment. Results show that hardiness is associated with better adjustment and hardiness appears to be a better predictor of mental than physical…

A study of 179 homeless women found that the variables associated with their children living in foster care or other out-of-home placements were: school-aged children, mother was age 35 or older, mother had a current alcohol or drug use disorder, mother experienced childhood sexual abuse, and mother had been a runaway. (Author/CR)

Early adolescent girls, predominantly of normal weight, were seen for 2 consecutive years and completed measures assessing their dieting, body image, and relationships with parents; weights and heights were also measured. Mothers rated daughters' pubertal growth. Findings indicated that negative parent-adolescent relationships are linked to higher…

A comparison of 46 language-delayed and 62 normal language onset children examined whether early language delay would predict autistic symptomatology in children diagnosed with autism when young and at an older age. Results found that early language delays predicted more autistic symptomatology when young, but not at an older age. (Author/CR)

Examined relation of early attachment relationships and preschoolers' emotion regulation. Found that preschoolers who ignored younger siblings' distress were more likely to experience personal distress and use avoidant coping strategies. Preschoolers with insecure-resistant infant-mother attachment at 1 year were more likely to seek comfort from…

Finds that instructor immediacy behaviors in web-based Master of Business Administration courses were positive predictors of student learning and course satisfaction; and that other factors such as student attitudes towards course software, length of course, and prior student and instructor experience with web-based courses were also significant…

Examines the reading habits and patterns of White and Asian American adults. Hypothesizes that when grouped by demographic variables, participants' responses about their reading habits and patterns would not differ. Concludes that gender, race, and education were predictors for participants' reading habits; education and race were predictors for…