This paper describes the various ways in which the SAT has evolved since its introduction in 1926. Some of the modifications have involved changes in the types of questions used to measure verbal and mathematical skills. Other modifications focused on liberalizing time limits to ensure that speed of responding to questions has minimal effect on…

The environmental adjustments required to make campuses responsive to the needs of older persons are seen as tending to fall in the realm of environmental management. Security, orientation, sight, sound, ambient temperature, seating, time, transportation, lounges, and campus residence halls are some environmental needs which are discussed. (MLW)

Bernstein's theory of the relationships among social class, language "codes," family/school social structures, and school success is discussed, as is Labov's rejection of the "verbal deficit" concept. A relevant experiment is described. (Available in microfiche from: Carfax Publishing Company, Haddon House,…

Reports on a study relating 169 community college students' grades, academic standing, and graduation status with their identification with academics, using a questionnaire designed to assess the extent to which self-esteem was linked with academic outcomes. Reveals that students' identification with academics was related to academic standing and…

A study of the attitudes toward cooperative learning of academically gifted students and their cohorts, with data obtained from 28 sixth- through eighth-grade classes, supported the finding that overall attitudes of gifted students toward school subjects were most positive in classes where cooperative learning was used sparingly, in contrast to…

Identifies the A level as an advanced placement examination given to high school students in the United Kingdom. Discusses the dichotomy between the A level students' knowledge of geography (dependent upon rote memorization) and the requirements of university geography (critical thinking and application). Recommends the adoption of reflective…

Presents a case study illustrating learned helplessness orientation in preschool children and how adult responses to a child's successes and failures directly influence a child's perception of his or her abilities. Suggests that teachers should compliment successes by highlighting the ability demonstrated and address failures with comments…

Analyzes findings from a 3-year study of 10 racially mixed schools that decided to reduce ability grouping. Discovers that decentralized decision making and local control inhibit systemic reform because the micropolitics of autonomous schools will act as an obstructionist influence. (MJP)

Describes a series of learning activities that can be done at home using everyday household materials. The activities are designed to illustrate components of the Five Fundamental Themes of geography education to students in grades K-5. They all require organizing, analyzing, and interpreting geographic information. (MJP)

A policy adopted in 1921 by the Scottish Education Department called for segregating postprimary students into two groups: those who had the "mental capacity" for secondary education and those who would be required to leave school at age 15. The unpopularity of the plan, combined with social, economic, and demographic factors, led to its…

Describes a kindergarten/first-grade and a second-grade program for teaching map reading skills. Suggests that map- reading instruction is required to improve children's geography knowledge. Provides ideas on how to observe the environment, use photos, encourage block play, use books, share maps, construct a model of the classroom, read cardinal…

Looks at the lives of two well-known writers to explore how diverse experiences produce literate adults. Discusses Agatha Christie and Jack London who used reading and writing to earn a living and to gain international reputations. (MG)

Describes a study that examined the effect of computer programing experience on the mathematical problem solving achievement of high school students. The variables studied are discussed, including gender, ability, socioeconomic status, prior math experience, and access to a home computer, and a path analysis model is explained. (34 references)…

Describes study of undergraduate teacher education majors which was designed to examine the function of text density level (high, low, or learner controlled) and various learner characteristics in learning from expository text in computer based instruction (CBI). Selection of print media versus CBI is discussed, pretests and posttests are…

A study of the effectiveness of teaching science to 2 classes of 15 and 20 ninth-graders, respectively, illustrates 5 aspects of educational evaluation: age factors in teachability, test unidimensionality, comparison of 2 classes of students regarding mean ability, objective difficulty of test items, and objective ability of individual students.…