The construct validity of algebra word problems for measuring quantitative reasoning was examined, focusing on an analysis of problem attributes and on the analysis of constructed-response solutions. Constructed-response solutions to 20 problems from the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test were collected from 51 undergraduates.…

This study tried to determine how well a combination of junior/senior undergraduate grade point average, standardized test scores, and writing sample scores can predict a student's success in a graduate College of Education. The study used data on 164 students selected to have a slight over-representation of students with lower Miller Analogies…

Despite their common goal, reformers promoting school choice and those seeking ways to improve schools through more effective principal leadership have remained for the most part disconnected. This paper presents findings of a study that examined differences in teachers' ratings of effective principal leadership in magnet and nonmagnet schools in…

These workbooks provide students with opportunities to research and explore future options based on the realities of today. The workbooks each consist of four research units, a future force section, and a reference section. Students are actively involved in the learning process and in acquiring information. The research units in Book I focus on:…

This study explored the processes that lead to relatively lower academic performance among African American students. It has been suggested that African American students perceive that, because of discrimination, education is less useful as a tool for upward mobility for African Americans than it is for members of other ethnic groups. The nature…

This research investigated course placement decisions for ethnic and gender groups. Success in four standard college freshman courses was predicted from scores on the American College Testing Program assessment (ACT) or high school subject area grade averages (SGA). The number of institutions varied from 13 to 50, depending on the course. Mean…

Many public and private kindergartens in New York use standardized tests for admission into their programs. How parents and teachers feel about these tests was studied. Parents were asked whether their child had taken any standardized kindergarten admission test, whether they discussed the results with a professional, whether the results really…

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a fairly recent inclusion in the literature as a psychiatric disorder. Currently, researchers are trying to relate PTSD to many different environmental and psychosocial stressors including physical abuse, emotional abuse, war trauma, and sexual abuse. This paper addresses research concerning the…

The mental health community has become increasingly aware of the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). A recent national survey found that 16% of adult males and 27% of adult females had experienced some type of CSA. This paper reviews the empirical literature in an attempt to answer the following questions: (1) Is CSA correlated with the…

This paper presents results of a preliminary study which evaluated medical birth data as potential predictors of developmental outcome, and developed and tested an instrument designed for this purpose. Forty low birthweight children, all of whom had experienced neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage, were evaluated at school age (66 months) on the…

The purpose of this book is to serve as a tool for individuals helping to make Alaskan communities places where youth can grow up to be strong, capable, and caring. The book is built around the Search Institute's Youth Developmental Assets Framework, which is comprised of the key building blocks in youth development. The book notes 40 assets that…

Three hypothetical scenarios for the 1980's are presented as tools for exploring the future of the Des Moines, Iowa, Independent Community School District. Each is written in the past tense as a "history" and is followed by a set of implications for education. The first scenario conveys an optimistic view of current trends, suggesting…

This paper examines the likely effects of technological developments on the planning of American academic library buildings during the 1980's and shares Richard Snyder's experiences in the design and construction of a new library building at Drexel University in Pennsylvania. Descriptions of general, economic, policy, psychological, and…

This report provides an overview of eight experiments on covariation judgment training. Included are a literature review, rationale, and description of the rule-analytic approach used in all experiments. Experiment 1 identified undergraduates' understandings of rule use, finding self-report a poor method for diagnosing sources of error. Experiment…

This report on forces influencing the future is designed to define the challenges that lie ahead and to help individuals develop plans to meet these challenges. It is based on the work of a team of "environmental scanners" who reviewed media, books, and academic research and discussed current issues with a variety of people to explore forces at…