Describes an outcomes approach to educational and training systems as utilized in Britain's National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs). Units of competence are explained, including performance criteria; analysis of competence is discussed; higher-level competence is considered; and an example of a core skill specification is included. (11…

Results of a comparison of conventional problem-solving strategies with alternative strategies involving worked-out problems and partially worked-out problems with a completion assignment for 46 Dutch secondary school students (45 males and 1 female) support the superiority of the alternatives, particularly the completion strategy, in solving…

To compare the effectiveness of parents and teachers as instructors of a personal safety program, 61 low-income preschoolers participated in either a home-based, school-based, or control program. No significant differences were found between groups taught by teachers or parents. Both groups demonstrated greater knowledge of sexual abuse and…

This article reviews 15 empirical studies in the area of academic skill improvement for students with behavior disorders being served in public school settings. The review addresses the nature of the samples, dependent variables, independent variables, and results. It concludes that the studies contain much useful information for practitioners and…

Discusses the potential for training perception and cognition in sport through video simulation of game situations. The paper reviews perceptual training studies and data from studies involving slide and video training in basketball. Issues that arise when creating simulations and assessment of transfer are discussed. (SM)

Two studies involving a total of five individuals with moderate mental retardation were conducted to investigate the effects of teaching the "One-More-Than" money counting technique. Results indicated the effectiveness of the technique in producing money counting skills that generalized to nontrained amounts and making community…

It is argued that listening comprehension must be developed in second-language learners as actively as oral expression has been for many years. Exercises specifically for beginning language learners are described. They include physical response to commands, discovery and location activities, and group recitation or storytelling. (MSE)

Some deaf interpreting strategies are offered to parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Parents are urged to utilize space in their interpreting, use name signs, utilize sight lines to distinguish characters in stories, use exaggerated signs to translate nursery rhymes, place themselves carefully at a public performance, and learn…

A social behavior training package was implemented with 9 children (ages 12-13) with deafness and language disabilities. The package included child training as well as supervision, feedback, and goal-setting by teachers and residential staff members. Target behaviors increased and were generalized across settings, activities, and subjects during…

Examines the impact of job preparation, short-term outdoor adventure, and family relationships on juvenile probationers' self-concept, loci of control, and perceptions of juvenile justice. Results indicate that the intervention did not achieve its intended effects, as measured by self-report scales. Outcomes relating to program design and…

Conversations of nine preschool children were tape recorded as they traveled home from school. Analysis indicated that, overall, the children spoke most often about the here and now. Most references to the past or to school projects occurred during the first five minutes of travel. References to future events occurred more often during the latter…

A study of the relationship between metacognition and academic achievement in 35 Belgian freshmen economics majors found high-achieving students to be aware of more cognitive rules and to evoke such metacognitive knowledge more frequently. Their metacognitive knowledge also seemed more structured and hierarchically organized. Five metacognitive…

The relationship between argumentation and informal reasoning is discussed, followed by a consideration of instructional factors that influence argumentation performance. An account of one expert student reasoner is provided. Instruction in argumentation is reviewed, and suggestions are made for argumentation based on classroom experience. (SLD)

Three severely retarded persons displaying self-injury, stereotypy, or aggression were trained to emit a communicative response that solicited reinforcement. Results showed that consequence procedures were required in addition to reinforcement. Treating aberrant behavior through use of functional analysis to identify maintaining contingencies and…

This paper examines learning-disabled students' change in legal status as they leave high school, which is structured by Public Law 94-142, and enter college settings structured by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The paper discusses implications of the change, transition programs, and guidelines for developing legal transition…