A set of methods is proposed for the analysis of opportunity to learn (OTL) in relation to achievement in large-scale educational assessments. Methods are illustrated with data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress and the National Education Longitudinal Study. Implications for large-scale educational assessment are discussed. (SLD)

The nine chapters of this theme issue show how, in diverse cultural settings, cooperative learning methods enhance learning and reduce frictions among learners. A second goal of these papers is to indicate how cooperative learning fits or doesn't fit in several societies. (SLD)

The role of education in the development of an Eritrean cultural identity is explored against the background of a review of relevant educational provisions in pluralist societies. Multicultural education in Eritrea offers access to a common culture and also to a variety of specific cultures. (SLD)

Four general criteria are proposed for the choice of a metrical solution for a causal effect: (1) compatibility with the effect; (2) ease of communication; (3) lack of measurement error bias; and (4) stability across subjects and situations. These criteria are illustrated for randomized and nonrandomized designs. (SLD)

The extent to which sources of stress, coping resources, background variables, and different ways of coping determined teacher stress in the fall term was studied with 66 Finnish school teachers on 4 occasions. Results showed a clear accumulation of stress as the term advanced. (SLD)

Fifteen subjects ages 6 to 22 years with autistic syndromes and pathological urine patterns with increased urinary peptides were given diets free of gluten and casein and were evaluated at 1 and 4 years. Normalization of urine patterns, a decrease in odd behavior, and improvement in communication skills were found. (SLD)

This article traces the shifting profile of the elementary school teaching profession in Finland over 130 years in relation to changes in the model of citizenship, acknowledging the role of the Scandinavian welfare state. Mass education has assigned teachers a crucial role in the initiation into adulthood. (SLD)

The relationship between gender and mathematical achievement was investigated in 440 female and 480 male Norwegian third graders. Boys had higher test scores, but the effect size was small. Boys performed better in numeracy, mental arithmetic, and measurement problems. Marked gender differences were found at extreme tails of the distribution.…

It is shown that Bayesian algorithms are computationally simpler in frequency formats than in the probability formats used in previous research. Analysis of several thousand solutions to Bayesian problems showed that when information was presented in frequency formats, statistically naive participants derived up to 50% of inferences by Bayesian…

Two studies involving 331 children ages 9 to 11 years examined the proposal that the functions served by children's attention to peers' work differ in informational focus and in goal focus. Goal condition affected goal, but not informational, functions of looking at peers' work. Implications for social comparison theory are discussed. (SLD)

The relationships among the teacher's pet phenomenon, students' perceptions of teachers' differential behavior, and students' morale were investigated in 80 Israeli upper elementary classrooms. The intensity of the teacher's pet phenomenon was related to perceived teachers' differential behavior, which, in turn, was negatively related to student…

An exploratory study examined the origins of children's motivational patterns in the family by observing 10 helpless and 11 mastery-oriented third graders. Findings are consistent with the hypothesis that mothers of mastery children may socialize their children's achievement motivation. (SLD)

Grade-level and achievement-level differences were studied in control-related beliefs and relations between students' beliefs and their reading and writing achievement for 364 students in grades 4, 7, and 10. Results suggest that beliefs characteristic of particular achievement levels are not simply reflections of age or grade level. (SLD)

Whether interest improved students' metacognition was studied with 33 nursing students and 51 college freshmen. With differences in prior knowledge controlled, nursing students, for whom the content was related to interest, made more accurate metacognitive judgments than college freshmen. Results emphasize the effects of prior knowledge in…

Student behaviors that best predicted mathematics learning in peer-directed small groups among students who needed help were studied with 166 seventh graders. Tape recordings of student interaction confirmed that receiving explanations and carrying out constructive activity were predictors of achievement. (SLD)