Reviews four decades of research on test interpretation. No clear evidence favors one interpretation modality over another, though clients seem to prefer individual interpretations. Also examines client and counselor variables that alone and in interaction may affect test interpretations. Discusses issues that merit attention by both researchers…

Discussed are number meaning and part-whole relationships concerning place value. Findings from a research study with students in grades two-five who were interviewed about place-value tasks are given. Stages of interpreting two-digit numbers are presented, with implications for the classroom. (MNS)

Describes significant problems that are specific to rural poor and particularly devastating to poor Blacks. Lack of jobs and the farm crisis are the main causes of rural poverty. Discusses funding for research and need for future studies. (JS)

Over half of the 101 preservice elementary teachers studied accepted inductive arguments as valid mathematical proofs, while over 60 percent accepted correct deductive arguments. Over one-third simultaneously accepted inductive and deductive arguments. More examples of the limitations of empirical evidence and of the power of mathematical proof…

A bibliography of recently published materials on English and French second language teaching lists 66 citations of recent course materials, books about theory and practice, research reports, and curriculum guidelines. Publishers' addresses are also listed. (MSE)

Investigated were the effects of programing instruction with BASIC on mathematical thinking skills and concept development in grade six. Posttests assessed programing ability, generalization, and understanding of variables. Observations and interviews were also used. The groups having programing instruction scored significantly higher than the…

Three dissertations are discussed: "Fund-raising from Private Sources in Public Community Colleges Using Not-for-profit Foundation Boards" (Carolyn Hunter); "Personality Traits of Effective Resource Development Officers in Two-year Colleges" (Raymond Taylor); and "The Relationship of Selected Institutional and Personal Characteristics to the…

Ways in which children think of 10 are considered first. Then a study with 14 second graders is reported; students were placed at three levels with respect to their addition and subtraction concepts. Findings are detailed, along with implications for instruction. (MNS)

Presented are examples of how the terminology used in typical rate questions is misunderstood by a large proportion of students. Explanations based on both interviews and paper-and-pencil tests are given as to why this phenomenon exists. (MNS)

Examined is the effectiveness of a computer software package designed to be consistent with a fraction strip chart model. The materials are described; they were used with three fourth-grade classes, while two other classes acted as controls. (MNS)

This article discusses preparation of research reports in light of how the information is likely to be evaluated and how the report contributes to the research process. The focus is on description, explanation, and contextualization of the study. Common issues related to interpretation of assessment studies are also highlighted. (SLD)

Comments on the ideas espoused by Smedslund (PS 522 552) in this issue. Agrees to the idea of spending more intellectual energy in distinguishing between a priori and empirical hypotheses but emphasizes that concepts are not always accurate reflections of reality and that even empirical disconfirmation of an a priori hypothesis sometimes can…

Reports a study examining the effects of cooperative learning and self-instructional packets--"Group Educational Modules" (GEM)--on the achievement of biology students. Significant differences in achievement (as compared to control groups) were found for students using GEM materials and students in cooperative learning situations. (PR)

Reports a study investigating the utility of 52 items, selected from a readily available item pool developed for instructional purposes, when the items are used to measure critical thinking abilities of biology students. The items had reasonably good internal consistency reliability and good concurrent validity. (PR)

The Holmes Group's second major report, "Tomorrow's Schools" (1990), offers a radically different perspective on teachers and their roles than does the group's first report, "Tomorrow's Teachers" (1986). Compared to 1986, teachers in 1990 are viewed with greater respect and are regarded as potential colleagues in educational…