In this research note, the authors report on an exploratory study of the profile of an engaged sociology major. The purpose of this note is to assess which factors relate to senior majors' self-perceived, overall engagement in the discipline. Possible factors include demographic variables, attitudes about learning, and academic or study behaviors.…

Frequent reprimands, low expectations, and infrequent praise characterize the daily school experiences of many students who display problem behaviors. This review evaluates preference and choice-making as possible interventions for improving these school experiences. Findings from 15 studies suggest that preference and choice-making may improve…

The paper presents a study investigating the net-based learner autonomy of the first-year non-English major students studying in West Anhui University (WAHU). Through questionnaires and interviews, the study shows the problems in learner autonomy and presents a new perspective for the development of an auto-learning environment. The study reveals…

[Slides] presented at the Annual National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) in New York in March 2008. This presentation explores the demographic information as well as how and where educational measurement professionals are in the field.

This study tests the claim that word learning and retention in a second language are contingent upon a task's involvement load (i.e. the amount of need, search, and evaluation it imposes), as proposed by Laufer and Hulstijn (2001). Seventy-nine beginning learners of Spanish completed one of three vocabulary learning tasks that varied in the amount…

This research study sought to understand the current state of Holocaust education in Romanian classrooms and how sociocultural and institutional forces influence its treatment. By identifying the obstacles, challenges, and successes of Holocaust education in Romania, this study can both disseminate the techniques and conditions that bring about…

The study in this article employed a multidimensional (behavioral, emotional, and cognitive) construct of school engagement to examine its relationship to school achievement in mathematics across the five major racial groups. The sample included 115 American Indians, 486 Asians, 1,551 Blacks, 1,682 Latinos, and 7,554 Whites who participated in the…

Goal-setting literature has suggested that specific, difficult goals will produce higher performance levels than easy goals. A difficult task or one with negative performance feedback may increase an individual's perceived challenge of the task which may in turn enhance his motivation. Effects of the Protestant work ethic and perceived challenge…

Although parents are their children's first and most influential teachers, parents are sometimes absent from the schools' educational process. Based on research stressing the positive connection between parental involvement and student achievement, the DeKalb County School system (Decatur, Georgia) has implemented several strategies to increase…

To study the in class learning experiences of mainstreamed handicapped students, academic learning time (ALT) was measured for 79 mainstreamed learning disabled (LD) and 143 regular fifth and sixth graders in year 1 and 62 mainstreamed LD students and 166 regular students in year 2. Analyses of student records, responses to teacher questionnaires,…

Presents data from a study investigating whether pupil involvement in tasks was different for high, middle, and low achievers. Results of the study are presented in nine tables. (BR)

Defends the Assertive Discipline model critiqued by Curwin and Mendler's article in the same "Educational Leadership" issue. This systematic approach is shown to be an effective and practical behavior management strategy leading to improved student and teacher self-concept, consistently positive reinforcement, and positive learning…

Data derived from observation of 32 classrooms (eight- and nine-year-olds) are analyzed to consider the relationship between teaching methods and the amount of class time pupils spend on curriculum tasks. Results indicate that classrooms with higher levels of whole-class interaction have higher levels of pupil time on task, even during periods of…

A study of 11 Wisconsin elementary schools determined: (1) how much whole group time occurred in each grade level within all the schools; (2) the impact of pullouts (students withdrawn from their self-contained classrooms) on whole group instructional time; and (3) areas of the curriculum most affected by pullouts. (MLF)

This study examined children's engagement in a primary school class when no additional help was present, when parents were involved normally, and when parents and staff were following RM (Room Management) procedures. Comparisons indicate useful gains in engagement when employing RM. (Author/CT)