Looks at conversations between West German kindergarten teachers and children to determine if boys are given an advantage over girls. Analyzes three aspects of the conversations important to language acquisition: teacher input, teaching and learning strategies, and opportunities. Concludes that boys and girls are treated differently. (Author/LS)

Examines predictor variables involved in the performance of 152 male and 143 female gifted high school juniors on the Scholastic Aptitude Test in mathematics (SAT-M). Concludes that males demonstrate greater visual-spatial ability which plays a dominant role in SAT-M performance. (FMW)

Explores reasons for the tenuous relationship between educational research and educational practice. Suggests changes in research and policy to bring educational research directly to bear on educational problems. The major problem is that researchers are searching for variables that relate to improved outcomes, whereas educational innovators are…

This article describes a meta-analysis of research on school integration in Israel. The analysis addresses the effects of the ethnic composition of fourth- and sixth-graders. Four of 15 studies involved met the criteria of the research design. Significant differences were found when comparing integrated and non-integrated classrooms. (TJH)

Finds that 25 Spanish-dominant Mexican-American students in a transitional bilingual program for grades one-three maintained Spanish reading achievement scores above national norms, and had English reading scores that equaled or surpassed those of 118 English-dominant Mexican-American students in regular classes. Contains 28 references. (SV)

Describes teachers' understanding of individualized instruction by presenting data collected from interviews with seven elementary school instructors. Finds a positive relationship between teachers' understanding of individualized instruction and their moral development as measured by the Defining Issues Test. Provides a number of interpretations…

Describes new directions and initiatives instituted at the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) since 1986 to fill data gaps, raise technical standards, and expand staff resources. Discusses implications for educational research and policy. (FMW)

Reported is a summary and review of over 300 research papers published in 1987. The review is organized into four sections: (1) "Learners and Learning"; (2) "Teachers and Teaching"; (3) "Curriculum and Instruction"; and (4) "Context and Settings." (YP)

Compares labor market outcomes for graduates of academic and vocational schools among 15,846 25-49-year-old male Israeli workers. Concludes that vocational schools are more efficient than academic schools in terms of worker earnings in relation to educational costs. Contains 18 references. (SV)

Tests the existence of a structural shift between above- and below-average students in the econometric models that explain students' grades in principles of economics classes. Identifies a structural shift and estimates separate models for above- and below-average students. Concludes that separate models as well as educational policies are…

Discusses Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral education through the structure of the just community. Evaluates experimental programs designed to implement this theory. Indicates that these programs establish cultures conducive to the development of socio-moral reasoning and action. Suggests ways to use these programs in the traditional school…

Examines difficulties posed in studying local governance because of varied forms found in local government structure. Describes two research methods for drawing upon that variety: (1) building large data sets, and (2) using case studies. Suggests that local research activities, conducted in the context of an educational program, be used as the…

Reports on a study that explores the influence of cultural setting on the relationship between temperament and adjustment in children in British infant schools. Concludes that a better understanding of the contribution of the setting's features to individual adjustment may provide a basis for maximizing adjustment. (LS)

Describes historical development of peasant studies. Contends that the impact of these studies has been uneven to this point. Suggests studies in developed countries have been too academically oriented, while in developing countries they have been relegated to the political realm. Calls for world-wide information exchange networks. (KO)

Explores uses for intelligent courseware in language classrooms. Defines three types of intelligent systems: microworlds, intelligent grammar checkers, and intelligent tutoring systems. Explains uses of these systems for all phases of writing instruction and for second language instruction. Questions for future research are raised. (Author/LS)