The concurrent and postdictive validity of two newly-devised tests of contrasting hemispheric function (Test of Right Hemisphere Ability, Test of Left Hemisphere Ability) was investigated relative to scores earned on the reading and mathematics portions of the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills. (Author/PN)

The article discusses neuropsychological and treatment aspects of brain behavior disorders in children from the standpoint of terms such as minimal brain dysfunction, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, and hyperkinetic syndrome. (Author/DLS)

Finds recent brain research sheds light on roles played by a positive affective environment and the interactive use of language in teaching the learning process through content area classes. Implements these ideas over a 10-month period in a ninth-grade classroom. Compares program students to other ninth graders on measures of metacognitive…

Argues that three major educational reform efforts since "Risk," overlooked or underappreciated by Koret Task Force, are now seeing results: State standards and accountability, advances in research on cognitive development of young children, and efforts to improve teacher quality. Disagrees with task-force assertion that more money will…

Some current ideas concerning the brain mechanisms of reading are presented. An impediment to educational applications of brain research is the remoteness of the classroom from brain research laboratories. An international plan is outlined to bring scientists and educators together to examine current knowledge about brain mechanisms involved in…

The article reviews recent research in neurobiology. It discusses the confusion surrounding hemisphericity research and the dangers of its literal translation into classroom practice, urging that focus be more appropriately shifted to the curriculum. (Author/DB)

Brainstem auditory evoked response latencies were studied in 80 males (13 with Down's syndrome). Latencies for waves P3 and P5 were shorter for Down's syndrome subjects, who also showed a different pattern of left versus right ear responses. Results suggest decreased lateralization and receptive and expressive language ability among people with…

This literature review examines the research on the use of right and left hands in the reading of braille. Results suggest that right-handed people may read braille more accurately with the left hand. Studies have also found differences between girls and boys and changes over the developmental period. (DB)

Migration data from the Current Population Survey indicate a small population gain for rural areas during the period from 1990 to 1994. Examination of data by age, education, and poverty level suggests a reversal of the "brain drain" trend of the 1980s, as more working-age people with children and college graduates move into rural areas,…

The relationship between creative thought processes and hemispheric asymmetry was examined in 47 right-handed male undergraduates. Four factors were identified, accounting for 75 percent of the total variance: Verbal Divergent Thinking Factor, Nonverbal Divergent Thinking Factor, Convergent Verbal Search Factor, and Cognitive Complexity Factor.…

Methods used to teach gifted junior high school students about the brain are described, focusing on aiming high, using real experiments, and considering ethical issues. Teaching average rather than gifted students requires different means to attain instructional goals and calls for challenging students but not overwhelming them. (JDD)

An examination of the relationship between second-language achievement and field dependence-independence and hemisphericity among 11- and 12-year-old Turkish students (n=69) in an intensive English-as-a-Second-Language program found that field independent learners performed better on discrete-point and cloze tests. Hemisphericity was not related…

This study sought to identify patterns of impaired acoustic laryngeal reaction time as a function of response complexity parallel to metabolic measures of brain function. Findings indicated that the disruption in speech motor control for 16 adult male developmental stutterers was systematically related to metabolic asymmetry in left superior and…

Suggests that "Johnny can't read" because of high testosterone levels in fetal development and subsequent poor brain lateralization. Presents instructional strategies based on the principle of factorized teaching for each of three discrete lateralization categories. Notes that the use of factorized teaching appears to have improved diagnostic and…

Early-treated phenylketonuria (PKU) children and unaffected peers were evaluated on four executive function (EF) tasks and one nonexecutive task. The PKU children scored lower than unaffected children on EF tasks, but not on the nonexecutive task. The PKU children's composite EF score was correlated with concurrent and mean lifetime phenylalanine…