Argues that socioeconomic status (SES) plays an important role in the lives of adolescents as reflected in adolescent literature. Examines three areas affected by SES: self-esteem, how literature affects characterization and the degree to which adolescents identify with a literary figure, and how literature functions as a learning device. (RJM)

The history of Spelman Seminary (Georgia) for African-American females is reviewed as an example of education as an instrument of socialization for southern women to their prescribed roles. The discussion covers the missionary role, Georgia in the 1880s, the institutional mission, school founding, debate over classical versus industrial roles of…

Because the absence of spatial activities in contemporary textbooks seemingly relegates visual imagery to a nonessential status, this discussion highlights the indispensable role of visual imagery within applied school mathematics learning activities. Included are examples of when imagery is used within students' daily applications and suggestions…

Data analysis using the Macintosh SoundEdit software showed that the signal contains the exact reverse of what the phonological rules of assimilation predict, i.e., the rules are not based on actual differences in the acoustic signal. Possible applications of SoundEdit in helping second-language learners improve their pronunciation are discussed.…

Discusses approaches to the problem presented in understanding consciousness as a yet undiscovered process of interacting neuron activity. Presents the historical context of research in the area of human awareness and identifies research necessary to scientifically explain how the brain relates to the mind. (MCO)

Evaluates the effectiveness of a computer-based training program designed to improve music students' ability to judge harmonic intonation. Concludes that undergraduate conducting students who took part in the Harmonic Information Training Program (HITP) for nine weeks outperformed a control group in discrimination tests. Reports mostly positive…

Examination of interaction between hospital staff and nonnative speakers of English touches on institutionalized models of interaction and attempts to characterize typical exchanges at various points during patient processing. Results show that communication difficulties can arise both intra- and cross-culturally, primarily from differentiated…

Illinois educators (n=314) were surveyed to examine their attitudes and perceived ability to work with students with handicaps. Respondents were willing to teach students who were gifted or had physical handicaps, but not students with mental handicaps. The survey also assessed specific types of support/resources preferred by teachers. (Author/JDD)

Examines how control theorists believe behavior results from individuals' internal standards reacting to environmental change. Argues that this belief requires a new research method, a test for the controlled variable, which seeks variables that do not change with a stimulus. Presents features of William Powers' control theory. Suggests sources of…

Examination of 23 4-year-old children classified otitis media negative or positive during their first year of life indicated that otitis positive children required a more advantageous signal-to-competition ratio for sentence intelligibility, compared to otitis-negative peers. No intergroup differences were found in receptive or expressive language…

This study explored the influences of social, psychological, and cultural determinants of underachievement as perceived by 148 intermediate grade African-American students in gifted, above average, or average academic programs. Psychological factors played the greatest role in underachievement or poor achievement motivation. Underachievement…

This study compared the phonological awareness ability of 11 children (ages 6-8) with persistent phonological impairment to that of 11 phonologically normal children. Phonologically normal children scored higher on three of the four phonological awareness measures, with no differences on word recognition. Speech intelligibility was a significant…

Describes a study designed to achieve the following goals: (1) compare the perceptions of learning environment in biology and chemistry classrooms by Jewish and Arab students; (2) identify gender effects in the Arab sample on learning environments; and (3) compare the perceptions of Arab students in rural and city schools. (ZWH)

The journal's executive editor considers current and future societal trends and their implications for people who are blind and visually impaired. He notes effects of the developing mosaic society, changing demographics showing large increases in minority populations, the developing information society, redefinitions of individual and societal…

The author of a survey of 254 college public relations officers (HE 531 785) describes briefly the underlying definitions, design, and results of the study, and makes comparisons between this and an earlier study of college presidents. Discussion of methodology focuses on respondent characteristics and consistency of definition. (MSE)