Compares and contrasts the approaches to mathematics in Montessori schools and traditional schools. Suggests that in a traditional curriculum, math is studied as a separate subject and isolated discipline, in an abstract format, with the entire group of children moving together through the prescribed curriculum. In contrast, the Montessori school…

Describes several noteworthy books about Latinos that contrast cultures, explain a unique Mexican and Mexican American celebration, explore the debate over illegal immigration, and convey the quandaries of adolescence. Several publications are considered inferior because they disregard the Spanish language and present negative historical…

Examines hypothesis that stepfamilies experience more marital conflict than do biological families. Measured remarriage's and stepchildren's impact on marital conflict frequency. Findings suggest that remarriage and stepchildren are not necessarily associated with more frequent marital conflict and that stepchildren's effect varied depending on…

The national examination systems of Ethiopia and South Australia are compared with an eye toward identifying problems in the Ethiopian system. Authentic assessment, which has never been a part of the examination system of Ethiopia, should be introduced along with other innovations patterned on the Australian system. (SLD)

Using 41 students (ages 6-10) with moderate mental retardation as subjects, 3 different forms of academic integration are compared: special classes using a functional curriculum, special classes using a traditional curriculum, and regular classes. After the first year, no significant intergroup differences appeared for measurements of cognitive…

Tested the hypothesis that toddlers labeled "developmentally delayed" would be perceived by adults more negatively than toddlers described as having normal development. Results indicated that female undergraduates' perceptions of toddlers can be influenced by labeling independent of toddlers' behavior. (BB)

A study of college affordability compared changes in family income, Pell grants, Stafford loans, and state grants with changes in the average costs of public two- and four-year colleges. It concluded that both sectors became more affordable to low- and middle-income families in the 1970s but less affordable in the 1980s. (Author/DB)

Teachers of academic English cannot teach content directly, prepare students for all academic tasks, eradicate error, or teach the full range of academic vocabulary. However, they can teach task and genre awareness, encourage use of all skills and higher-order thinking, require exploitation of resources, and encourage self-evaluation. (11…

Reports a study that analyzed natural language search statements constructed by 22 Getty Visiting Scholars as they researched humanities topics on DIALOG. Results show a greater use of names, geographical areas, chronological periods, and discipline terms than scientists use, with implications for the design of humanities online systems and…

Interviews with 16 deaf high school students and 9 teachers found that teachers underestimated the extent of students' independent comprehension of 3 types of text. The text perceived to be most difficult by both teachers and students was the most interesting to students (but not teachers) and fostered use of a greater variety of metacognitive…

Basics skills achievement of students of 48 elementary school teachers who received in-service training in the Program for Effective Teaching was compared longitudinally to the achievement of students of 34 teachers who had not received such training. No differences in achievement between the groups of students were found. (BB)

Studies alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use by fourth graders in Washington, DC (n=4,675 in 1988-89 and n=4,678 in 1990-91). Lifetime prevalence of self-reported alcohol use, alcohol use without parental knowledge, and smoking more than a puff of a cigarette declined, although marijuana use and cigarette experimentation did not decline. (SLD)

A study sought to correlate University of Minnesota, Minneapolis clinical medical students' performances in neurology on an objective structured clinical examination with previously and independently collected student feedback on teaching. Student evaluation of instruction was found to accurately reflect more effective teaching occurring at one of…

Discusses research to determine whether the methodology used in English-as-a-Second-Language classes affected scores on the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills. Test results of students in a Los Angeles school district exposed to a comprehension-based approach were compared to those exposed to a grammar-based approach. (21 references) (CFM)

Presents data from a national study of professional development programs for two-year college occupational faculty regarding part-time faculty perceptions of the form, topics, and delivery methods of professional development activities at their colleges, and incentives offered for participation. Compares perceptions of full- and part-time faculty.…