The internal/external frame of reference model was examined for 131 adolescents participating in a summer program for academically talented students. Results suggest that the model was useful in understanding the academic self-concept development of students, with no significant differences among students with strengths in mathematics, verbal…

Presents a study that compares an introductory high school biology curriculum, Biology: A Community Context (BACC), with traditional curricula. Discusses the differences between standards-based BACC and traditional instruction. Identifies the instructional method in BACC as investigative inquiry and the activities proceed from concrete to more…

Examined the performance of English language learners (ELLs) on mathematics word problems, the effect of accommodation strategies, and the impact of students' background characteristics on accommodation effectiveness. Results for 946 eighth graders show that ELL students were helped by modified English, extra time, and use of a glossary plus extra…

Reviews research on the nature of attention and memory and proposes a model of the relationship between them during second-language acquisition complementary to Schmidt's noticing hypothesis and oppositional to Krashen's dual-system hypothesis. The article maintains that differential performance on implicit and explicit learning and memory…

A study investigated the applicability of 2 American instruments for student evaluation of teaching for university students in China (n=367). Results indicated high internal consistency; items were generally considered to be appropriate and to distinguish clearly between good and poor lecturers. Every item was important to some students. However,…

Describes a study conducted using transcripts from Miami-Dade Community College and the Florida State University System to identify predictors of transfer students' upper-division grade point averages. Suggests that satisfactory associate degree completion alone may not be adequate for upper-division success, with much depending on student…

In a computerized video-game-like spatial ability measure administered to 94 university students, the number of target hits was correlated with verbal intelligence quotient. The dynamic spatial measure does not load substantially on a general intellectual ability factor, but it does provide additional evidence that dynamic spatial ability is…

This article identifies 12 commonly used models for evaluating superintendents and analyzes them through questions related to the "Personnel Evaluation Standards" of the Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation. Models are grouped into those based on global judgment, judgment based on specific criteria, or data-driven…

This paper describes two practical assessment procedures that enable teachers to use time more efficiently in physical education class. One approach is for teachers who want to use validated or invalidated skills tests, and the other approach takes advantage of instructional progression steps. (SM)

The effects of performance feedback and social visibility on task performance and on incidental learning of peripheral stimuli were studied with 64 French male students, half high achievers and half low achievers. Both performance and allocation of attention were extremely sensitive to the consistency between students' past and present academic…

This article describes the advantages a functional assessment of instructional conditions offers to teachers dealing with student problem behavior and discusses teacher instructional practices found to be proximal to student learning and on-task behavior. Reasonable hypotheses are suggested for the function of problem behavior as it relates to…

Describes how the three paradigms of assessment (assessment as measurement, as procedure, or as inquiry) are similar and how they are different, using writing portfolios to help distinguish between them. Presents several factors that support teachers making a "paradigm shift" from assessment as measurement to assessment as inquiry. Explains…

Visual and auditory processing of complex sentences was examined among 8- through 11-year-olds. Findings suggested a U-shaped learning pattern for on-line processing of restrictive relative clauses. Off-line accuracy scores showed different patterns for good and poor comprehenders. Incorrect local attachment strategy use was related to sentence…

Analyzed the surveys completed by 9,765 students from the Davis County, Utah, School District to determine patterns of response. Item analysis suggested that students responded with reliability and validity. Some items were more defensible than others for conceptual and empirical reasons. (Author/SLD)

Study analyzes three dimensions of teaching quality perceived by Chinese students in Hong Kong, China: satisfaction with lecturing; satisfaction with course-design; and a self-rated measure of effort devoted to studying. Results reveal that the strongest effect on course ratings came from students' judgment of aspects of course design and…