Three conditions of self-monitoring of private study were compared for their effects on academic performance and intrinsic motivation. In end-of-year examinations, a group who self-monitored subgoals outperformed groups who self-monitored either time or study or distal goals on the target course of the investigation. (Author/LMO)

Using a time-sampling observation method, three experimental fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms were observed during discussion sessions with three desk arrangements: rows, clusters, and circles. Results indicated students seated in circles engage in significantly more on-task behavior. As expected, observed pupil behavior varied significantly…

College students with varying degrees of prior conceptual understanding of a scientific topic were randomly assigned to a program-controlled or a learner-controlled treatment in a sequence of computer-assisted video learning. (Author/LMO)

State-of-the-art review suggests extending time in school will increase achievement only modestly--and at great expense. (Author/DCS)

Teachers', parents', and peers' standards were found to each have a positive and significant effect on the time secondary students spent on homework. The effects of performance standards on achievement were mixed. Teachers' and peers' standards had small positive effects, and parents' standards had larger negative effects. (Author/RM)

Achievement and student attitudes were studied using data from 250 secondary Ontario mathematics classes. The differences between semester schools versus year-long schools were examined. Hours of instruction and teachers' experience were also noted. Lower achievement was observed in semester classes, with no advantage in student attitudes.…

A comparison of the effects of full- and half-day kindergarten programs in Southern California provides evidence that longer programs promote skill and knowledge acquisition, enhance students' self-confidence and cooperation, help convince the community of the district's intent to strengthen elementary schools, and may encourage increased…

The goal of the report is to provide useful information to Indiana policymakers as they debate the merits of full versus half day programs. This report sought to answer three questions: (1) What does the national research say about the effectiveness of full day kindergarten; (2) What does the Indiana data say about full day kindergarten; and (3)…

A study involving 3 elementary students (ages 8-10) investigated the treatment effects of choice making with academic assignments. Students at risk for emotional disturbance (ED) in a general education setting participated. These were children who exhibited aggressive behaviors and were judged to be achieving below their grade level by their…

This action research project describes an intervention to increase attending and on-task behaviors in first- and second-grade students. The problem of inattentive behaviors was documented by means of teacher, student, and parent surveys and teacher observations. The intervention used behavioral management, organizational strategies, role playing,…

This report discusses the findings from an evaluation study of the Learning Without Limits program in the fifth grade at Riverdale Elementary in the Shelby County Schools district, Memphis, Tennessee. The overall purpose of the evaluation was twofold: (a) to provide formative evaluation data to Riverdale School to use as a basis for improvement…

Concurrent validity studies are reported for the School Attitude Measures (SAM), a recently developed school affective assessment procedure. The studies were conducted at three grade levels (5th, 8th, 11th) with a total sample of 153 subjects. Results indicated that the SAM shows promising concurrent validity related to the criterion measures…

Investigated behavioral differences between high- and low-achieveing inner-city children (N=136) using the academic engaged time model. Findings suggested that high- and low-achieving inner-city children spend a large proportion of time engaged in academic tasks, with high achievers spending somewhat more time than low achievers. (WAS)

Student involvement in 24 science classes (grades 8, 9, 10) during instruction involving teacher exposition, exposition with prop, and demonstration was videotaped. Findings indicated that only nine teachers used class demonstrations and that the increased levels of pupil attention and task involvement increased during demonstration lesson…

A study conducted on students' average time-on-task not only identified important findings and implications for preservice and inservice teacher training but also proved that a positive, productive atmosphere can be achieved between school district personnel and researchers throughout the study. (CJ)