Describes an outcomes approach to educational and training systems as utilized in Britain's National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs). Units of competence are explained, including performance criteria; analysis of competence is discussed; higher-level competence is considered; and an example of a core skill specification is included. (11…

First, second, and third graders (n=33) were observed in classrooms during a three-year study of the development of private speech and its relationship to behavioral accompaniment to task, attention, and task performance. Findings agreed with Vygotskian predictions that private speech promotes effective task-related behavior. (SH)

Visitors to an interactive science center were observed while assembling a large-scale lock and key kit. Males, and those who had previously watched another visitor, were faster at initial assembly of the lock, but for males this speed advantage disappeared in a reassembly test. Discusses what counts as "understanding" an exhibit.…

This study compared 1,356 students with learning disabilities and 17,431 nondisabled students in grades 4, 7, and 10 on at-risk factors and number of school interventions. Learning-disabled children were found to be significantly more at risk on personal pain, family socioeconomic status, family instability, family tragedy, and academic risk.…

This study examined the sustained effects of methylphenidate on reading performance in 42 boys (ages 8 to 11) with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, either with or without conduct disorders. Only the subgroup of those with conduct disorders responded, and significant reading improvement was exhibited in only a subgroup of these students.…

Comparison of differences between the top 5% of ninth- (n=1942) and twelfth-grade (n=2277) students in science achievement and remaining students found that far more high achievers were male, typically came from small families, and had parents with more formal education (often in the sciences). High achievers typically preferred questioning over…

Twenty-five university students with learning disabilities were interviewed relating to specific work habits necessary for successful functioning in an undergraduate program. Only 4 of 10 work habits were reported as acquired by 70% or more of the students. There was no correlation between overall self-rating and cumulative grade point average.…

A model is proposed for the influence of individual differences on performance when computer-based technology is introduced. The primary cognitive factor driving differences in performance is spatial visualization ability. Four techniques for mitigating the negative impact of low spatial visualization are discussed: spatial metaphors, graphical…

Through qualitative and quantitative research, beliefs of 16 exemplary teachers of visually impaired children were organized into higher order constructs and analyzed. The study found that successful teaching requires the educator to balance the demands of the internal classroom environment and the external environment made up of faculty,…

The forms, functions, and targets of the spontaneous communication of 30 children (age 4-13) with autism were observed during school activities. Communication patterns varied by cognitive level and autism severity, but the prototypical communicative event involved a child directing a motoric form of communication toward the teacher to request…

Forty-eight seventh grade children were divided into four groups based on creative thinking scores and intelligence scores. On some measures of problem solving, imagery, and mathematics, highest scores were achieved by the high-intelligence/high-creativity group. For other assessments, creativity did not add to performance and even appeared to…

Four hearing-impaired children (ages 9-11) with learning problems answered questions focused on picture description. The children understood question words but answered the questions incorrectly 75 percent of the time. The children had difficulty determining the topic of discourse, were confused by the sequence in classroom discourse, and relied…

This study of 100 children with mild and moderate disabilities and 24 normal children found no main effect differences between integrated and segregated groups in a special education preschool program. Aptitude-by-treatment analyses revealed that higher performing students gained more from integrated classes, whereas lower performing students…

This article sheds light on the critical variables of a successful special education dissertation by presenting two advisees' and two advisors' reflections on the experience. Common attributes that may contribute to a successful dissertation are identified, including acquisition of scholarship, coursework and training experiences, perseverance,…

Discusses emerging portable CD-ROM technology and suggests guidelines for selecting and configuring a cost-effective system. Factors covered include portability, battery life, performance, durability, and display. Connecting the CD-ROM drive to the computer, producing and updating the CD-ROM database, use of the database, and accommodating…