Second graders, fifth graders, and college students heard 12 stories that varied systematically by situational domain, outcome, and causal attribution. Students were asked to infer the story character's emotion at the end of the story and give reasons for it. Contributions and limitations of Weiner's attribution-emotion model are assessed in light…

Describes a study which compared the performance of learning handicapped and nonhandicapped boys in grades four, five, and six working in like pairs, mixed pairs, and individually at the computer on a mathematics problem-solving task. It was found that the boys worked as effectively in pairs as they did individually. (LRW)

A series of articles examines the possible role of standards in measuring the performance of automated library systems and in planning the needed capacity of a system. Topics discussed include capacity modeling; response time measurement; system performance from the library, vendor, and consultant perspectives; and development of performance…

When kindergarten, second grade, fourth grade, and college students listened to stories and were asked to predict and explain the story character's behavioral or emotional reaction to a new event, the use of personality attributions to predict and explain future reactions increased with age. (RH)

Longitudinal study examined effect of children's gender on tendencies of mothers to use specific antecedents in ascribing causal explanations for their children's sixth grade mathematics performance. Path analyses showed that, for both mothers of boys and mothers of girls, maternal perceptions of child performance were associated with…

Discusses the need for evaluating the efficiency of early childhood education programs. Presents a model of educational productivity that specifies nine chief factors which require optimization to increase affective, behavioral, and cognitive learning. (Author/RWB)

Northeast Missouri State University has developed a way of knowing its effectiveness through a method of assessment that focuses on the value added to the student's knowledge and personality. Competency testing and attitudinal assessment are used. The effects on curriculum and instruction are outlined. (MLW)

Research studies concerning how nutrition affects educational performance are examined. From a developmental perspective it seems likely that the earlier the onset and the longer the duration of the nutritional deficiency the higher the probabilities of a cognitive deficit and poor school achievement in childhood and adolescence. (RM)

In third-grade and tenth-grade subjects, results included (1) the absence of age differences in proportionalized short-term retention and (2) significant age differences in long-term retention only between groups that had received a different number of learning trials. (Author/CI)

Compares the performance of German school learners of English in a communicative writing task and of their teachers in assessing it with that of native English pupils and teachers carrying out the same task. Raises questions about the appropriate performance model for communicative tasks and the role of usage in teacher assessments. (Author/SED)

Gives guidelines for using a microcomputer software evaluation instrument which focuses on policy issues, instructional quality, science subject-matter standards, and technical quality. The complete evaluation instrument is included. (JM)

This study investigated the motivational and performance consequences of two features of task-mastery learning structures: retesting opportunities and criterion-referenced grading. College students were assigned either to a norm-referenced (competitive) or a criterion-referenced grading system, and to either a single-test or retest condition.…

The School Improvement Project demonstrates that when schools rigorously implement activities that address the five "Edmonds Factors," gains in student achievement and staff attitudes can be made. These factors are (1) strong administrative leadership; (2) emphasis on basic skills; (3) an orderly school climate; (4) ongoing student…

Reports results of a survey of National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) members (N=509 representing a 51 percent return rate). Personal, educational, employment, and professional factors affecting members' role/status as professional biology educators are considered. (JN)

This paper concentrates on the impact of globalisation on childcare since the late 1970s, particularly in the last two decades. It looks at how our views about children, parents and public services have changed as a result. In particular, the paper examines the case in Belgium, where the consequences of globalisation are also analyzed in terms of…