Describes a study of the effects of mastery learning strategies, interactive video mathematics, individualized instruction, and traditional lectures on community college student achievement, comparing outcomes by instructional method and student characteristics. Finds higher achievement for mastery learning and video methods and for adults 22…

Assessed the association of parental discipline and monitoring with early conduct problems of 123 children in a highly disadvantaged, African American sample. Analyses indicated that, after earlier conduct problems were controlled for, coercive parent discipline and poor parental monitoring at age 4.5 predicted age 6 conduct problems. Associations…

This study of community college students investigated predictors of student dropout in distance education courses. Considered locus of control, gender, number of distance education courses completed, age, financial assistance, and number of hours employed, and used correlation and discriminant analysis to show locus of control and financial aid…

Uses two sets of quality measures of group care to assess their predictive power for measures of the development of children in German group day care. Reports finding that measures of adult-child, child-child, and adult-adult interactions predict development levels when measured by long-term participant observation in a natural day care…

Examined young adult participation in high school activities and identity group as predictors of later substance use, psychological adjustment, and educational and occupational outcomes. Found both participation and identity may consolidate specific skills, attitudes, values, and social networks that have a far-ranging impact on the transition to…

A study involving 233 academically talented adolescents investigated ethnic group differences in self-concept and the contribution of domain-specific self-concept to global self-concept. White students had significantly higher scholastic and job self-concepts than Asian American students, and physical self-concept was a substantive contributor to…

A study investigated the influence of self-concept and perceived family environment on psychosocial adjustment among 180 early-entrance college students (ages 14-17). Family cohesion, conflict, and expressiveness and overall self-concept were predictive of adjustment to college. Family cohesion, organization, control, conflict, and overall…

Examined how gender, grade level, empathy, and cultural orientation influenced fifth and eighth grade African American students' moral judgements. Students completed a variety of assessments. There was greater endorsement of communalism among girls than boys. Grade was a significant predictor of moral reasoning. The full complement of predictive…

A study explored how six childcare providers who have included children with special needs are able to provide care on a daily basis. Factors included the providers' commitment, finding the balance between resources and needs, problem-solving with parents, access to emotional support and technical assistance, and access to other supports.…

Examined whether attachments to family and school reduced five forms of adolescent deviance (smoking, drinking, marijuana use, delinquency, and violent behavior). Found that adolescent attachments to family and school reduced overall frequency, prevalence, and intensity of deviant involvement, regardless of community context, gender, or ethnic…

Investigated relation between pubertal timing and alcohol use among junior high school students in Norway who were followed up 2 years later. Found that early timing of puberty correlated with number of intoxication incidents and number of units consumed on each occasion and, to a lesser degree, with frequency of alcohol use. Correlations were…

Discussion of using the Internet to learn science focuses on an online study that presented a constructivist and an objectivist format containing the same information and examined the effect on learning of variables that included age, gender, racial identity, attitude, aptitude, self-regulated learning, and self-efficacy. (Author/LRW)

Analyzed data from study of typical center-based child care and children's development in three states. Found confirmation of prior evidence regarding importance of ratios, teacher training, and group size for high quality classroom practices; also demonstrated more significant contribution of teacher wages and parent fees. Quality varied with…

Global and domain-specific self-concepts of 205 Chinese gifted adolescents in Hong Kong were assessed using 7 scales of the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents. They differentiated 6 self-concept domains: scholastic competence, social acceptance, athletic competence, physical appearance, behavioral conduct, and class friendship. Homogeneous…

The authors examine the influence of neighborhood characteristics on the academic outcomes of children in middle childhood. Prior research has examined structural features of the community and has evaluated their associations with youth outcomes (Brooks-Gunn, Duncan, Klebanov, & Sealand, 1993; Kowaleski-Jones, 2000). Other research has related…