Eighty-nine children between four and nine years of age solved mazes varying in the presumed appropriateness of advance or improvisational planning. Results of the study show that children's planning strategies are adapted to circumstances and suggest that older children may be more proficient in this adaptation than are younger children. (RH)

Forty developmentally delayed and 40 non-delayed kindergarten children completed an alphabet matching task and a spelling task using 2 different computer input devices: a traditional computer keyboard and a touch-sensitive computer screen. The touch-sensitive screen generally improved the performance of both groups. (Author/JDD)

Evaluation of 120 participants in a supported employment program suggests that successful program implementation led to on-going employment in community work sites, increased wages, and ongoing opportunities for interaction with nondisabled peers. Important procedural components included development of comprehensive Individualized Program Plans…

Three independent divisions of a large public agency, each with between 35 and 55 members, were randomly divided into experimental, placebo, and control groups for an intervention emphasizing decision-making and goal-setting practices that promote maximum employee interaction and participation. Results indicate increased levels of creativity after…

Studies primary school Chinese students living in Hong Kong to learn their causal attributions for examination results. Identifies age-related differences in perceived attainment, success expectancy, causal attributions, and achievement goals. Finds discrepancies with earlier Western studies and links these to Chinese socialization patterns where…

Fourteen specifically language-impaired children, age four to seven, pointed to pictures in, and acted out, semantically reversible sentences that varied in thematic content and in the order of thematic roles. Compared to children matched on language age and chronological age, subjects' comprehension was significantly lower. (Author/JDD)

Studies relationships among sex difference, performance expectation, and actual performance in video game competition between female and male subjects. Finds that self-confidence of females is not lower than that of males after competing against a good opponent, indicating that performance expectancies may be more related to skill level than to…

Youths (N=54) with mental retardation who had remained employed for at least six months were matched with youths who had not. Among the most important elements contributing to employment success were placement agency follow-up support; home support; and the individual's job skills, social ability, and match to job demands. (Author/JDD)

A group of high-potential girls in grades three-six met with researchers to discuss internal barriers to female achievement. Dilemmas identified as blocking girls' success in school included: smart versus social, silence versus bragging, failure versus perfection, media beauty versus marginality, passive versus aggressive, conforming versus being…

Reports the effects on student classroom behavior of a performance teaching strategy in which teacher trainees of English as a second language "perform" to better engage students. Students paid attention more immediately and sustained attention longer, engaged more willingly in subsequent tasks, and appeared to enjoy the lesson more.…

Twenty children, aged 7-12, with severe visual impairments completed a series of visual tasks requiring interpretation, analysis, manipulation, and visual motor coordination. Findings are discussed in terms of total performance, individual task performance, performance of younger versus older children, and performance of good versus poor readers.…

Discussion of right brain versus left brain skills focuses on a study that compared the performances of computer science students, professional programers, and bank employees on eight tests of brain function. Results are reported which suggest that the cognitive profile may be an important indicator for success in certain occupations. (16…

This paper compares the performance of China and the United States at the high-school-level International Mathematical Olympiad, focusing specifically on the United States' short training period and lack of women team members. Ways in which the United States benefits from Chinese mathematical talent are described. (JDD)

Describes attributes of educational facilities that (1) influence occupants' performance (physical factors, task-related factors, user-friendliness, organizational qualities); (2) convey subtle messages (design statements, accessibility, spatial factors, aesthetics); and (3) influence programs and their delivery (technology, learning-style…

Describes a study conducted at the Brigham Young University Library that examined the quality of reference service provided by students and department assistants, the adequacy of the training program, and the effectiveness of the system of referring patrons to subject specialist librarians. Recommendations for improving training programs and…