For 241 normal and 132 gifted fifth graders and 113 normal and 117 gifted seventh graders in Ottawa (Ontario), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses investigated the factorial validity of the Perceived Competence Scale for Children (PCSC). Overall, the PCSC demonstrated sound psychometric properties. (SLD)

Traces the patterns of wage premiums for college graduates since 1963. Also examines the wage differentials between high school dropouts and graduates, and between college dropouts and graduates. The dramatic rise in the wage premium is due to the huge increase in the demand for college-trained workers. (Author/BJV)

Confirmatory factor analysis of data from a portion of a long-term study provided evidence for two components of math anxiety for 298 male and 266 female 6th through 12th graders. The components related to negative affective reactions and cognitive aspects. Age and gender differences were significant. (TJH)

Reports on a study of a BBC children's television program, "Corners," that was conducted to determine how suitable the program was for its intended audience. Three age groups of children (6-, 7-, and 11-year-olds) were compared, and child development factors and future production decisions are discussed. (10 references) (LRW)

Reports on a study of student perceptions of harmdoers among 164 second and fifth-grade Japanese students. Finds that older children perceived the harmdoer who apologized as less intentional and more remorseful than the harmdoer who made excuses and accepted the harmdoer's excuses only when they believed that the harm was not intended. (CFR)

Compared the effects of computer-based word processing and writing by hand on 14 third and fourth graders' attitudes and performance in the writing process. Found that third graders tended to make more revisions and edits when using a word processor, whereas fourth graders made more changes in their handwritten drafts. (MDM)

Attitudes toward school of 3,000 urban middle school students were studied over several years as part of a larger evaluation of a middle grades reform initiative. Results suggested that the "mismatch" hypothesized by other researchers between developmental needs of young adolescents and middle school structure and practices may be greater for…

Explored the influences of teacher education on musical curriculum related to young children's responses to music. The findings showed that during a music activity, children attended to their teachers, that children's responses to music differed according to their age, and that teaching a music curriculum to early childhood caregivers does make a…

Analyzes survey data on attitudes of university agriculture faculty, farmers, and advocacy groups regarding traditional versus alternative agriculture. Data examined for differences in age, sex, education, department, and farm background. Suggests faculty beliefs generally more traditional than farmers but less than conventional-agriculture…

Sixty-two college students with learning disabilities were compared to 58 peers matched on gender and American College Testing composite score. Groups were compared on age, high school preparation and performance, college grades, grade point average at the end of each year of study, graduation and academic failure rate, and time taken to complete…

How 330 young, 481 middle, and 299 late adolescents (535 males and 575 females) perceive the relative importance of relationships with their mother, father, most important sibling, best same-sex friend, and most important teacher was investigated. Results from the Network of Relationship Inventory were analyzed. (SLD)

Studies sex differences in play behavior across early elementary school years and the relationship between sex-typed play and peer acceptance for 86 second graders and 81 fourth graders (72 males and 95 females). Results indicate significant age and gender differences, with boys more often boisterous and aggressive than girls. (SLD)

Reviews studies of the effects of prenatal drug exposure on child development, and reviews ideal early intervention programs. Researchers agree that prenatal drug exposure is only one of many factors that can influence a child's development. Specialized treatment programs and family support can ameliorate prenatal drug exposure effects. (SLD)

Whether indexes of cognitive processes that affect adults are related to sentence reading times and recall was studied for 49 fifth grade and 73 seventh grade good and poor readers. Younger children differed from older children in that greater numbers of causal relations were associated with better sentence recall. (SLD)

A survey of 55 Chinese students and scholars visiting the United States investigated attitudes toward the spread of Putonghua, the standard variety of Chinese. Results indicate six categories of attitude, five supporting its spread. They also show a correlation of attitude with age, birthplace, current residence, and parents' occupation.…