Seventh- and eighth-grade students were presented fictitious biographies to remember. Keyword students used a prose-learning adaptation of the mnemonic keyword method. It resulted in higher levels of recall than did control instructions. In a subsequent experiment, the basic findings were replicated on immediate and delayed recognition tests.…

A questionnaire study among college sophomores and seniors indicated that: (1) female students neither gravitate toward nor avoid female role models, while men prefer high status, powerful male models; and (2) female and male students were similar in the amount and nature of contact with models, mentoring performed by models, and modeling…

One hundred seventy-two fifth grade students read a short, expository passage and answered postquestions. One week later, subjects' recall of the questioned information was superior to their recall of the unquestioned information. (Author/BW)

This synthesis of findings from 40 studies showed that students can raise their test scores by taking practice tests. The size of the gains were a function of three factors: identical vs. parallel forms of the test, number of practice tests, and ability level of the student. (Author/BW)

Fourth, sixth, and eighth grade students studied a word learning task and were tested on three consecutive days. Expectancy statements were made by half the subjects. These results seemingly contradict previous research, but the contradiction was explained in terms of task complexity. Expectations were found to be motivational. (Author/BW)

Father's occupation was found to be associated with significant differences in quantitative and verbal Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores. Further, significant relationships between sex, ethnic status, and father's absence and SAT scores were found. (Author/BW)

This study of two fifth grade classes investigated students' reports of attention, understanding, cognitive processes and affect during a nine-day mathematics unit on measurement. These self-reports appeared more valid indicators of classroom learning than observed time on task. Student affect mediated the relationship between instructional…

This study assessed the effects of a change in principals (management succession) on school level basic skills achievement using longitudinal data on 149 San Francisco Bay Area Schools. The findings indicate that changes can affect school achievement, but that leadership effects develop slowly and are conditioned by a schools' socioeconomic…

This minimal intervention experiment was carried out in the fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade classrooms of 32 volunteer teachers. Six training packets were mailed to teachers and minimal before and after training classroom observations were conducted. Analysis showed no significant changes in teaching practices or student achievement. (BS)

Based on data gathered during their public elementary school education, two groups of 49 students in private and public schools were matched on age, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status and IQ. Their achievement test scores as high school seniors do not support the claim that private schools necessarily effect higher achievement. (BS)

Changes in six measures of achievement-related motivation and confidence were tested in a longitudinal study of 138 women and 96 men during their first year at a midwestern university. Findings suggest that, for these measures, assimilation into the campus environment had a positive effect on men but not on women. (Author/BS)

Drawing on the evaluation and authority theories of Dornbusch and Scott, this paper examines the relationship between teacher perceptions of the frequency of evaluation activity and their assessments of their effort and effectiveness. Urban, middle school teachers were surveyed. Findings included a positive relationship between evaluation…

This study investigated the relationship of academic achievement of categories of social status (popular, rejected, isolated, and amiable), peer acceptance and social impacts among 145 elementary school children. Academically able students were more often considered amiable or popular, while the below average achievers were more often rejected.

In the largest district initially placed under court-ordered faculty desegregation. The influences of teacher turnover, experience, and racial isolation on elementary school student achievement in predominantly minority schools were examined. Findings suggest that poorly planned desegregation policies can have undesirable consequences, especially…

The causal effects of time spent in learning (TSL) and time needed for learning (TTL) on the reading and spelling achievement of 171 fourth and fifth grade students were investigated. TTL contributed significantly to achievement, and its direct effect was greater than TSL. Results also support a Carroll's learning model. (Author/BS)