The authors of a research article (EC 614 673) on the effects of self-recording on behavior change in students with mild disabilities reflect on the impetus for the study, why self-monitoring was preferred over other interventions, what was learned about self-monitoring, and what would be done differently if they were to repeat the study. (CR)

This study examined the effects of methylphenidate drug therapy and differential reinforcement on the disruptive behavior and task engagement of 3 children (ages 6 through 11) with mental retardation. Results indicated that both interventions were effective for two of the children. No evidence of an additive or synergistic effects of the two…

A study monitored the behaviors of three students (ages 7-9) with autism in inclusionary settings relative to paraprofessional proximity and classroom activity. Results are presented for on-task behavior, in-seat behavior, self-stimulatory responses, and inappropriate vocalizations. Data are also presented for interactions initiated by…

A review of 10 research articles on the use of auditory prompting systems with persons with moderate to severe disabilities found a functional relationship between the use of an audio prompt system and increased task performance. Results support the use of an audio prompt system as an effective intervention. (Contains references.) (CR)

A brief structural analysis of instructional variables assessed levels of task engagement and self-aggression behavior in a seven-year- old child with multiple disabilities. Results indicated increased levels of task-engagement and reduced levels of self-aggression as stepwise changes in treatment components occurred, validating use of structural…

Seven educational states or processes which are popularly deemed vices are discussed, and the argument is presented that, when properly qualified, they are valuable educational goods to be wisely promoted or exploited by the sensitive teacher. These seven are: ignorance, negativity, forgetting, guesswork, irrelevance, procrastination, and…

Findings from a study which examined the relationship between study time and test scores indicate that time spent organizing had a stronger relationship with course test scores than did total study time or time spent reading and reviewing. Subjects were 113 undergraduates who kept daily self-monitoring logs of study activities. (IAH)

This review of research examines the contributions of American and European researchers to understanding how classrooms work and what "frame" or format factors exert their influence and supply the foundation that underlies academic achievement. (IAH)

The authors review current practices in writing instruction in adult literacy classes. They observe that students spend little time writing. Innovative teaching activities are mentioned. They discuss goals of writing instruction and how to adapt present practices to meet the writing requirements of the General Educational Development Test. (CH)

A successful reading instruction program requires ample time for actual text reading; teacher-directed comprehension strategy instruction; opportunities for peer and collaborative learning; and time for discussing what has been read. To develop independent, motivated, lifelong readers, a substantial part of children's reading instructional time…

Describes an experimental test conducted with high school students to determine the effect of posting explicit goal structures on problem-solving performance in an intelligent tutoring system for calculus. Related rates word problems are discussed, and student performance in terms of speed and accuracy is analyzed. (Contains 29 references.) (LRW)

Evaluation of peer-mediated reading instruction with three fifth-grade and sixth-grade boys with behavior disorders found that marked improvement in on-task behavior and positive peer-to-peer comments corresponded to the implementation of peer-mediated instruction. (Author/DB)

Students' class participation can be increased by having each child display a response to each of the teacher's questions. Suggestions are given for evaluating and using pre-printed response cards and write-on response cards. Evidence for the effectiveness of response cards in increasing learning and on-task behavior is offered. (DB)

Twenty-eight students (ages 9-12) with learning disabilities were taught a spelling study procedure (SSP), followed by instruction in self-monitoring of performance (SMP) and self-monitoring of attention (SMA). On-task behavior was significantly higher in both SMA and SMP than in SSP. Neither SMP nor SMA were inherently superior across subjects,…

Effects of self-monitoring on-task behavior, academic productivity, and academic accuracy were assessed with six elementary school students with learning disabilities. Although all three interventions yielded arithmetic improvements, self-monitoring academic productivity or accuracy was generally superior. Differential results were obtained across…