Multiple-group structural equation modeling was used to analyze structural relationships between latent factors underlying measures of handwriting, spelling, and composing for students in grades one through six. Results with 300 children show that the mechanical skills of writing may constrain the amount and quality of composing. (SLD)

Evidence about the intuitive foundations for learning fractions was found in a study of early developments in proportional reasoning involving 60 children ages 5 to 7 years. Participants were able to use part-whole relations to compare proportions by 7 years. Increasing reliance on part-whole reasoning was observed with age. (SLD)

First graders at risk for handwriting problems (n=144) were assigned to 1 of 6 treatment conditions, including handwriting instruction and phonological awareness training. Converging evidence across multiple measures shows that combining numbered arrows and memory retrieval was the most effective treatment for improving both handwriting and…

Reports on a study in which English secondary remedial students were observed and rated in their individual levels of on-task behavior. Results indicate that group-oriented classroom management procedures may achieve their apparent success merely by raising the on-task behavior of nontroublesome pupils. (Author/BSR)

Reviews questions that arise when considering critical thinking in the process of education. Key issues discussed include the definition of critical thought and effective ways to facilitate critical thinking skills. Concludes with an analysis of how children use thinking skills and the factors teachers need to consider when designing…

Describes motherese as higher vocal pitch relative to the pitch of adult to adult speech. Research literature pertaining to this issue is discussed and deficits in the resulting knowledge base are then identified. Concludes with an outline of current developments in research in this area. (BSR)

Discusses practice reading and the pause, prompt, and praise remedial reading procedures used with low-progress readers of primary school age. Results are discussed in terms of the interactive social contexts provided by the two procedures and of the opportunities for reciprocal gains in skill between reader and tutors. (Author/BSR)

This study examined the level of test anxiety of adolescent children of divorced parents. It suggests such anxiety is a possible explanation of the lower scholastic achievement of such children. Results indicated children of divorced parents had significantly higher anxiety scores than did children of intact families. (Author/BSR)

Relates research on instructional sequencing and type of knowledge to be learned to a model of direct instruction. Maintains that the studies reviewed provide powerful support for the direct instruction approach to many kinds of learning. States that the model provides a partial understanding of the complexities of instruction. (JDH)

Reports the results of a study of 7- to 11-year-old boys (n=100) designed to explore the use of visual and auditory information in learning to spell. Results showed that only with 10- and 11-year-olds did visual information produce better results than auditory presentation alone. (JDH)

Reports the results of two studies designed to investigate the presence of six cognitive levels of intellectual performance as predicted by Bloom's taxonomy. Results of both experiments revealed a performance dichotomy with synthesis and evaluation forming the superior category. Includes examples of the text items used and draws implications for…

Randomly selected students from two disruptive classes (n=28 and n=30) were subjected to a daily report card reinforcement system. The study employed a time series design. Results showed significant improvements in work and behavior of both sets of target students and positive 'spill-over' effects in one class. Concludes with recommendations for…

A double-blind controlled study of the effect of paired reading was carried out with 33 failing readers and their parents. After an average time of 7.6 hours of paired reading at home spread over six weeks, the experimental group children made gains of 2.43 months for reading accuracy and 4.36 months for comprehension. (JDH)

Reviews research, conducted since the early 1970s, on the teaching of physical education. States that past studies have been largely descriptive and correlational, and the future studies must develop a more detailed explanation of the process of teaching physical education. (JDH)

Explores the efficacy of a behavioral remediation program for oral reading on oral reading errors and comprehension of four moderately mentally retarded children. Reveals a clear relationship between remediation and oral reading errors and proves that the remediation program was effective in reducing oral reading errors and increasing…