Explores, in two independent replications one year apart, the possiblility that (a) the actions of three-year-old children are guided and accompanied by self-evaluations and withdrawal, (b) that self-evaluations and withdrawal have a motivational function for persistence, and (c) that they are influenced by the mother's behavior when interacting…

Literacy, reasoning, and civility in education are discussed from the perspective of social organization and cultural patterning. Schools are part of the larger social environment and perpetuate social class and rank as well as teach the curriculum. Reforms should change the social relations between teachers and students as well as instructional…

A study was conducted to develop a diagnostic instrument for students to evaluate student teachers. The result was an instrument containing 40 evaluation items divided into four major categories: personal traits, professional competence, student-teacher relationship, and classroom management. Results of instrument use are discussed. (CT)

Investigates whether 53 mothers' beliefs about achievement were related to their seventh grade children's sex differences, and the association between these beliefs and their children's performance in mathematics. (HOD)

The recent literature on issues of quality, retrenchment, and evaluation suggest the kinds of planning and institutional research needed to aid college and university decision processes to sustain and improve program quality. An extensive bibliography is provided. (MLW)

This study sought to determine the association between global teaching dimensions suggested by Ryan (teacher creativity, organization, and understanding) and perceived instructional outcomes. Ratings on 25 college instructors were collected over a three-year period. Results indicated that teacher organization may have potential influence on…

The validity of the Medical College Admission (MCAT), undergraduate grade-point average (GPA), and "competitiveness" of undergraduate college in predicting the performance of students at a predominantly black college of medicine was examined. No differences between men and women were found in the validity of MCAT scores and GPA.…

This study investigated a causal model of second language learning, in particular, three situation-specific constructs: language class discomfort, language class risktaking, and language class sociability. Findings indicate that discomfort negatively predicted risktaking and sociability, risktaking positively predicted participation, and…

A study of Palestinian university students' evaluations of their teachers' instruction examined the possible biasing effect of their sex, academic class, or expected grade in the course. The results are examined in the context of Arab and Third World higher education and the need to establish standards of evaluation. (MSE)

Reports on a study that hypothesized that students base their ratings of instructors on general attitudes regarding their instructors and the class rather than ratings on the specific attribute implied by specific evaluation items. Findings supported the hypothesis. (HOD)

Using 45 undergraduate evaluations of videotaped lectures, this study examined the effects of the purposes of rating on measures of accuracy in observing teacher behavior and in evaluating teacher performance. Results suggest that the purpose affects the way raters process behavioral information without necessarily affecting the general level of…

This experimental study was conducted to: (1) provide further information on the susceptibility to special preparation of three Graduate Record Examination analytical item types; (2) determine the efficacy of self-study test familiarization materials for these types; and (3) ascertain the effects of several different components of special…

Surveyed student opinions and found, among other reactions, they (1) consider that evaluating teacher performance is important and (2) prefer the Small Group Instructional Diagnosis (SGID) method over end-of-course ratings because of the timing, feedback quality, oral exchange, and personal approach involved in SGID. (PD)

Addresses the question of the degree of importance which accuracy of form has for the second-language learner. Effective techniques for focusing on form and correcting errors are discussed. The techniques are based on a grid that matches learner variables and instructional variables. (SED)

Two experiments were conducted to determine how initial task experiences of success and failure combine with observation of task outcomes in same-age, same-sex peers to affect the achievement expectations of second and third graders. The first experiment involved lower class urban Black children; the second involved middle class rural White…