Administered OASIS-2 Aptitude Survey to 36 rising high school seniors who were taking college classes in English and psychology as part of summer program designed to encourage interest in college. Found statistically significant relationships between grades in both classes and general and verbal aptitude measures on OASIS-2. (Author/NB)

Several confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) with a nationally representative sample of 11,078 subjects. Based on fit indexes, simple structure, and parsimony in parameter estimation, a three-factor hierarchical model was chosen. Two factors resemble those of P. E. Vernon (1969).…

Examined validity of Microcomputer Evaluation Screening and Assessment (MESA) aptitude scores relative to General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB) using multitrait-multimethod correlational analyses. Findings from 54 rehabilitation clients and 29 displaced workers revealed no evidence to support the construct validity of the MESA. (Author/NB)

Examined association of stress and coping variables with aptitude and achievement testing among children (n=100) aged 6 to 16 referred for multidisciplinary diagnostic testing. Stress and coping were significantly associated with performance on aptitude and achievement tests. Specific stress of physical and/or sexual abuse as well as parental…

Presents two studies applying computerized adaptive testing (CAT) in schools. Compared paper-administered, computer-administered, and CAT modes for administering school achievement and assessment tests. Then compared computerized adaptive aptitude test results with individually administered Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. Found…

The Clark's Drawing Abilities Test was administered to 177 secondary-level students and found to effectively identify gifted/talented visual arts students. Students draw a house, a person running, friends playing, and a fantasy drawing, and these drawings are scored on sensory, formal, expressive, and technical properties. (JDD)

The paper suggests that the current aptitude-treatment interaction approach to accommodating individual differences in special education has not been proved instructionally useful. Formative evaluation is offered as a promising alternative that addresses individual uniqueness rather than dimensionalized individual differences. (Author/DB)

Proposes looking at the percent symbol (%) as an operator, which means to divide any number in front of it by 100. Stresses the importance of using correct words to describe the numbers generated in percent calculations. Explains how to (1) calculate percent using equivalent fractions; (2) divide fraction numerators by denominators, retaining the…

Assesses the etiology of the covariation between mathematics performance and general cognitive ability in data from a sample of 555 twins selected for learning deficits and from a sample of 570 control twins pairs. Results show that the phenotypic relationship between mathematics and general cognitive ability is due primarily to genetic…

A sample of 144 mathematical tasks used during reform-oriented teaching was analyzed in terms of task features and cognitive demands. The ways cognitive demands of high-level tasks declined and factors associated with task changes were explored. Teachers used tasks that led to the development of students' thinking capacities. (MAK)

High school students gifted in spatial ability were selected from a large national sample and compared to those gifted in mathematical ability on multiple measures. The students gifted with spatial ability had interests less compatible with traditional coursework and lower levels of academic and occupational success. (SLD)

Describes a mathematics reasoning course at Drake University and efforts to introduce collaborative, small-group, mixed-ability activities into the classroom. Comments on the ease, difficulties, rewards, and demands involved. Discusses student and instructor attitudes towards the collaborative activities. (AIM)

Reviews the use of media comparison studies in the field of educational technology, argues that they are weak and inappropriate, and recommends a new focus on the issues of instructional methods and learner characteristics. Discusses intra-medium studies and aptitude treatment interaction studies as better alternatives. (LRW)

Cross-cultural differences in creative thinking were assessed for 51 American and 54 Japanese college students. The American students showed significantly higher scores on the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) figural test than the Japanese students. No gender differences were found in either culture. TTCT performance did not correlate…

Discusses cognitive, affective, and linguistic influences on foreign language learning. It proposes the Linguistic Coding Differences Hypothesis (LCDH) model for understanding foreign language learning problems. The empirical support for the LCDH model is reviewed. Diagnostic, pedagogical, and policy implications are addressed. (Author/DB)