This module on assessing students' personal characteristics is one of a set of seven on vocational students and is part of a larger series of thirty-four modules constituting a core curriculum intended for use in the professional preparation of vocational educators in the areas of agricultural, business, home economics, and industrial education.…

A sample of high school seniors was surveyed in spring 1972 to provide baseline data for the NCES National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972. The First-Followup Survey of this sample took place in fall 1973. This report describes how these young adults changed during this period of about 1-1/2 years with regard to their view of…

Individualization of education has been variously defined, from fairly narrow and circumscribed to fairly extensive and comprehensive definitions. The development of a comprehensive procedure for the individualization of education involves consideration of such factors as family/personal, instructional systems, data access, and decision rule…

This study was designed to test the validity of using creativity and academic motivation variables, in addition to the traditional variables of scholastic aptitude and high school GPA, as predictors of college GPA. The sample consisted of the 1973-74 freshman class at the College of Basic Studies (CBS) at Boston University; CBS is a two-year…

The development of psychological methods for assessing the abilities of deaf students could aid in the formation of educational programs and the provision of vocational guidance. A battery of tests designed to measure a wide range of functions was administered to all eighth grade students, average age 15, in schools for the deaf in Sweden. All…

Studies are reviewed showing that the social status of a high school has a small independent effect on the college intentions of its students, over and above the effects of their family status and mental ability. This finding is analyzed with data from the Educational Testing Service's 1955 sample of 35,330 students in 518 American high schools.…

The Admission Index, created from high school counselor ratings of academic promise and motivation, is recommended to admission officers and college counselors as a variable as good or better than those traditionally used from the cognitive domain. This index was found not only to be substantially valid and consistent as an achievement motivation…

The second enclosure to the study of attrition at the five federal service academies reviews 87 related studies, about half of all those done by, for, or about the academies in the last 10 years. One general observation is that relationships have been established between attrition and student characteristics, whereas the same is not true in…

Reviews study conducted to compare levels of achievement on final exams for college students responding to combinations of test-item feedback methods and modes of test-item presentation. The PHOENIX computer system used in the comparison is described, and the use of ACT (American College Testing Program) scores for ability comparison is discussed.…

Describes a study of sixth graders which was conducted to determine whether general ability or locus of control influences selection of instructional options in a computer-based lesson on four propaganda techniques used in advertisements, and whether the selection of options increases achievement on tests involving classification of new items.…

Analysis of error patterns in a test taken by 698 Finnish university students shows errors are made in this declining order of frequency: grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and use. More talkative students were proportionately more proficient per utterance, and higher proficiency also correlated with sex (female) and high matriculation test…

The validity and use of the Differential Diagnosis-Prescriptive Teaching Model in special education is challenged. A review of research related to six assumptions underlying the model is presented. It is concluded that children do not appear to benefit from current applications of this instructional method. (MH)

Demonstrates that socio-economic factors such as family background are important in determining student achievement, but are reinforced by factors such as teaching and learning resources. Presents a study of student achievement in mathematics and science related to parental education and occupation and to type of school. (LS)

Reports on a study of 208 high school students on the relationship between interest in 4 subject areas and the quality of experience in class. Finds that interest was a significant predictor of the experience of potency, intrinsic motivation, self-esteem, and perception of skill. (CFR)

Maintains that cartographic research has long suggested that preschool and early elementary students possess advanced mapping behaviors. Reports on a study of the thematic mapping abilities of 74 second-grade students. Finds that the map tasks were appropriate for this age level and provides four recommendations for classroom instruction. (CFR)