In this seven year longitudinal study predictors of achievement for first graders were measured against actual school achievement of the same students in the seventh and eight grades. Three sets of variables were obtained in the first grade. Achievement history, family environment, and mental health were used as measures. Mental health was…

A rationale for pluralistic education is presented in this paper. It discusses the meaning of the cultural, racial, and ethnic aspects of pluralism in American group life. The discussion addresses three issues: the persistence of ethnic groups in American society, the shared heritage of American traditions, and the importance of personal and group…

The effect of stimulus familiarity on the comprehension of polar adjectives by preschool children was examined by administering a perceptual judgment task. The children's ability to indicate the correct object illustrating a particular word was assessed. Antonyms representing opposite dimensions of quantity, height, length, or size were presented.…

An analysis was made of students at Grand Valley State Colleges who enrolled in fall 1975 and in winter 1976. Of the group of students enrolled fall 1975, those who returned winter 1976 had the following characteristics compared to those who did not return: a higher percentage of males than females, and of single students than married students; a…

The development of social maturity, language, and arithmetic abilities was studied over a 3-year period in 103 mentally retarded children from high IQ (51-75) and low IQ (26-50) groups in special schools and special classes. Among findings were that the high IQ groups of both special classes and special schools showed much improvement over the…

Findings and recommendations of two studies begun in 1968 regarding the lives of impoverished people in Camden, New Jersey are presented in this report. In the first study, factors aiding and hindering the achievement of economic independence, especially through the Work Incentive Program (WIN), of female headed households are considered. Data…

Unlike the past models guiding cross-cultural psychological research, a new paradigm facilitates multiple level investigations by incorporating both culture-specific (nested) and culture-general (crossed) independent variables within its partially-hierarchical framework. Based upon the generalizability analysis, this model generates sequential…

In order to assess attitude stability or change and the conceptual framework of Kerckhoff's thesis (1976) that occupational aspirations are specifically affected by "observed structural constraints", data derived from the Southern Youth Study (a male subset from the Alabama, Texas, and Georgia panel comprised of 221 whites and 146…

The first of two papers included in this document addresses two related problems: Problem one: The appropriateness of existing standardized tests of achievement for the assessment of academic function in minority and disadvantaged group member students. Problem two: The appropriateness of such instruments for the assessment of the impact of…

A 6-year followup study was conducted for 36 low birth weight Spanish-American children (3 to 5 years old) who participated in a special intervention program. The program, designed around the Responsive Environment concept, provided educational stimulation. Utilizing teacher interviews, achievement measures, and trend analysis, the study found…

Due to the Federal relocation programs, American Indian migration to urban areas has intensified over the past 20 years. The Indian who moves from the reservation to the city encounters an alien culture and, consequently, experiences immense difficulties in securing employment, housing, health services, and fair, unprejudiced treatment from law…

This study attempted to better define the nature of critical thinking and its component skills (with a focus on the interpretation, analysis, and evaluation of data) by investigating the relationship between critical thinking competency and an activity card method of instruction, individual or small group work patterns, achievement, and sex. The…

This book on human sexuality is a testbook which was conceived, written, and designed by teachers for teachers. It is divided into four sections, the first three of which are designed to acquaint the teacher or future teacher with basic information and concepts related to sexuality. Section 1 serves as an introduction to sex education and…

From an individual's viewpoint, it is argued, culture establishes a meaningful context of social institutions, ecological practices, and personal rules of conduct which provide each group member with a blueprint for social existence. But, behavior is also conditioned by unconscious internalized patterns, which tend to be accepted by everyone as…

The effect of social class on progress of the individual student through school is examined in this research report. Based upon data from a range of studies, this investigation assesses the magnitude of the effects of class origins, scholastic ability, and a select number of other variables on (1) curriculum location, (2) participation in…