When 43 experienced school psychologists were asked to evaluate discrepancy scores, it was found that they made inconsistent choices, failed to use standard statistical procedures for testing differences between scores, and tended to misinterpret percentile ranks as useful for discrepancy analysis. Implications for learning-disabilities…

Study investigated 5-7 year olds' understanding of electricity. Researchers collected data from students involved in a unit on flashlights both during and after the unit. The views children acquired (alternative or scientific) during the science unit were maintained after the unit's completion. Students did not hold sophisticated ideas about…

Examined factors associated with service use among 186 urban African American elderly people. Interviews with elders and caregivers indicated that many elders were unaware that older adult services were available, that those elders who were socially isolated and who suffered from poor health used services more, and that most elderly respondents…

The role of teachers, teacher educators, researchers, program planners, and advocates in the somewhat unfocused field of adult literacy is discussed. They are invited to focus on three directions: shifting focus to families and communities, knowledge development, and multilevel collaboration. (Contains 10 references.) (LB)

In a recent international survey of geographic knowledge reported by Gilbert Grosvenor, Mexican respondents asked to locate 16 places on a map had an accuracy rate of 48.7%, compared to first-ranked Swedish respondents' 73.4%. This article argues that respondents' schooling levels and the cultural relevance of the locations warrant further…

Compared drinking patterns and level of alcohol knowledge in two samples of college students who visited Daytona Beach, Florida, during their spring breaks in 1981 and 1991 (n=3,368). Found significant reductions between 1981 and 1991 in number of students who were drinkers and amount they consumed. Significant increases in alcohol knowledge were…

A model of the sources and consequences of mismatches between gestures and speech is presented that argues that the transitional knowledge state is the source of the mismatch and that such mismatches signal that a child is in a transitional state of concept acquisition and is ready to learn. (SLD)

Documents the process of developing and using a general model for teacher education programs and a specific model for a reading program. Elements shared by the models include graphic representations, components, the manner in which they were developed, and the myriad functions that they support. (SM)

Examines arithmetic and algebra knowledge from a cognitive perspective in an effort to determine what constitutes a pre-algebraic level of understanding. Presents results of a longitudinal study designed to investigate students' readiness for algebra. Proposes a model for the transition from arithmetic to pre-algebra to algebra. Contains 29…

This study investigated whether or not a relationship exists between university students' knowledge of and attitudes toward homosexuality. Reports significant results and discusses the implications of findings for educational and counseling practice. (Author/MKA)

Examined the potential of constructivist learning environments for developing prerequisites of expert knowledge during university studies. Compared learning outcomes of 16 Finnish students in a constructivist environment with outcomes of 23 students learning under traditional conditions. Students in the constructivist environment acquired more…

Examines solution strategies used by elementary preservice teachers to find the perimeter and area of a shaded geometric figure. Investigates inadequacies in the mathematical backgrounds of these students as well as curriculum changes to make in teacher education programs. (Author/CCM)

Addresses the argument that the arts can empower education reform through two means: (1) teaching all children the arts and (2) teaching the arts as central to all learning. Conveys that by concentrating on aesthetic literacy and the nonuniversality of children's artistic development, arts educators will gain support for teaching the arts in…

Surveyed 7-year-olds' ideas about the Earth in space, focusing on their ideas about shape and their ability to represent and describe land masses or other surface features, Earth's size relative to the sun and moon, and its nature as a planet. Found that focusing on the Earth's shape and gravity alone has underestimated youngsters' learning…

Focuses on the connections among the concepts of virtuosity, performance, and knowledge. Defines a virtuoso performance and the two different types of virtuoso performers. Considers to whom the label "virtuoso" should or should not apply and limits its literal application to performers who participate in the interpretive realization of art works.…