Data from nine representative U.S. population samples in the General Social Survey data file for 1974 through 1990 confirm systematic declines in verbal scores for cohorts born after World War II, with the trend beginning earlier. The importance of social change must be acknowledged in trend analysis. (SLD)

Two studies with 170 children aged 4-12 years examined the possibility that unsolicited help can serve as a low-ability cue. Targets of unsolicited help are perceived by children as less able students who are less likely to do well and less likely to be desirable workmates. (SLD)

Path analysis of results from questionnaires answered by 424 mothers and 390 fathers and the mothers' sixth through eleventh grade children (51.4 percent females) indicates that parents' gender stereotypes interact with the child's gender to directly influence beliefs about the child's abilities and that parental beliefs affect the child's…

Reports results of Dutch study of presuppositions about teachers' diagnostic skills in determining school readiness. Lists a sequence of 5 different levels of functions and behaviors of 13 cognitive functions used in the study. Concludes that teachers accurately judged the cognitive levels of children who were shown less school ready by an…

Suggests ways to eliminate ability grouping in the schools, and explores new alternatives to improve schooling for all students. Specific guidelines are given for the development of academically and racially heterogeneous schooling. The elimination of grouping practices that deny equal access to education is a goal worth pursuing. (SLD)

A Many-Faceted Rasch Model (FACETS) for measurement of writing ability is described, and its use in solving measurement problems in large-scale assessment is illustrated with a random sample of 1,000 students from Georgia's Eighth Grade Writing Test. It is a promising approach to assessment through written compositions. (SLD)

This issue contains 12 articles that present library perspectives on information literacy. Topics discussed include critical thinking and bibliographic instruction (BI); learning style theory and reference desk interviews; teaching information retrieval to end users; library instruction for faculty; cognitive authority; question formulation…

The Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts organized "College Day" in conjunction with two Louisville-area high schools, to provide talented students with an opportunity to showcase their skills and provide colleges and universities an opportunity to identify potential students. (JDD)

This study of 60 eighth grade students found differences among students with learning disabilities and students who were low, average, and high achieving, on perceptions of ability and achievement; attitude toward mathematics; knowledge of mathematical problem-solving strategies; and knowledge, use, and control of problem representation…

A study involving 70 grade school children shows that mothers are fairly accurate in estimating their children's abilities (IQ). Accuracy of estimation does not predict achievement or school grades, but mothers' demands of children are related to beliefs about ability and the children's levels of achievement. (SLD)

A survey of parents of 54 school-age children with prelingual hearing loss being taught through the auditory-verbal approach revealed that 85% of children were estimated to read better than or as well as average normal hearing children. Of 37 children for whom standardized test scores were supplied, 30 scored at the 50th percentile or higher. (JDD)

Assessments of 41 mentally ill adults (consumers of mental health services) of their level of functioning were compared with assessments by family members and mental health services case managers. Moderate correlations are found among the perspectives, and the relevance of the three perspectives for community-based service provision is discussed.…

Describes a successful project in which seventh-grade English-as-a-Second-Language teachers in Jerusalem kept nonreaders in the classroom, thus laying a positive foundation for high school, motivating all students to study English, and reducing the gap in English abilities. By teaming and collaborating, teachers and student teachers created a…

Includes testimonials to, and previously published articles by, Ken Jones on categories in simulation; simulations in secondary schools, reading instruction, and English-as-a-Second-Language; simulations as assessment tools; aspects of design; differences in race, gender, and perceived ability and performance; influence of national culture;…

Reviews the literature on psychological and educational assessment of American Indian and Alaska Native children, including the background psychological factors of biological deprivation, motivation, attitudes toward self, and traditional nonformal education. Discusses brain hemispheres, visuospatial skills, otitis media, fetal alcohol syndrome,…