Examines how reading ability relates to course performance in an introductory developmental psychology course. Compares personalized system of instruction (PSI) to contingency managed lecture (CML) sections. Shows previous academic performance best predicted final examination scores for CML students while reading comprehension best predicted PSI…

Describes results of a research study that used work sampling techniques to compare time spent by 9 high school library media specialists using automated circulation systems with 9 high school media specialists using nonautomated circulation systems in 14 task categories. Two responses to the research study are included. (26 references) (LRW)

Discusses the results of a survey of librarians who hold a subject master's degree in addition to the Master's of Library Science (MLS) which was conducted to determine the perceived value of such degrees to their work, salary, and career advancement. Hypotheses tested are explained, and further research is suggested. (nine references) (LRW)

Researchers investigated the effects of frequent classroom testing on students, examining studies on adjunct questions and on mastery testing. Meta-analysis of 40 studies indicated students who took at least 1 test over 15 weeks scored one-half of a standard deviation higher on criterion examinations than did students who took no tests. (SM)

The relationship between a kindergarten screening battery (KSB) and scores on the Stanford Achievement Test was studied as a function of race for 519 white and 183 Native American students in kindergarten through grade 4. Prediction of the child's achievement test scores is more accurate when race is considered. (SLD)

Addresses prospect of approaching clinical inquiry as a scientific activity and considering counseling practice as a context for scientific training of counseling psychologists. Discusses problems in attempting to find common ground between clinical teaching and research training. Proposes that scientific training needs to include development of…

Summarizes research comparing boundaries around larger and smaller groups. Finds that the perception of group boundary permatbility varies with group size. Reports a greater perceived distinction between the group and the individual passerby as group size increases. Describes the effects of varying group member proximity. Discusses implications…

The effects of problem content on mathematics word problem performance were explored for 128 male and 128 female college students solving problems with masculine, feminine, and neutral (familiar and unfamiliar) cover stories. No effect of sex typing was found, and a small, but highly significant, effect was found for familiarity. (SLD)

The consistency of several item bias detection methods was studied across different test administrations of the same items using data from a mathematics test given to approximately 6,600 eighth grade students in all. The Mantel Haenszel and item-response-theory-based sum-of-squares methods were the most consistent. (SLD)

Maintains that new practices such as performance-based assessment that are consistent with the early childhood profession's process goals need to be developed and that testing of young children that is not developmentally appropriate constitutes misassessment. Promotes observational assessment that uses anecdotal notes and that complements…

Female tenth graders (n=217) were less likely than male tenth graders (n=219) to identify missing or irrelevant information in algebra problems. Female eleventh graders (n=234) were less likely than male eleventh graders (n=287) to solve problems with irrelevant information. Results indicate sex differences in knowledge of problem structure. (SLD)

Implications of using alternative assessments for accountability in a high-stakes testing environment (using tests to make impact decisions for students, schools, or teachers) are examined. The psychometric properties of standardized alternative assessments are discussed, and the consequences of their use are considered. (SLD)

The effect of multiple-choice (MC) or open-ended (OE) response format on diagnostic assessment of algebra test performance was investigated with 231 eighth and ninth graders in Tel Aviv (Israel) using bug or rule space analysis. Both analyses indicated closer similarity between parallel OE subsets than between stem-equivalent OE and MC subsets.…

Effects of schema-based cues (previewing) and structure-based cues (structure cueing) on comprehension of expository prose were studied with 74 fourth graders. Results indicate a significant pattern of higher performance by the previewing group, in comparison with the structure-cued group and a control group. (SLD)

The situation at Haifa University, which has received approximately 250 new Russian immigrants each semester for the past 2 years, is discussed in terms of testing and evaluation, student performance, and implications for learning and teaching. Differences between multilingual and monolingual language learning are described. (six references) (LB)