A job satisfaction measure for secondary school teachers--the Job Diagnostic Survey--was correlated with a teacher locus of control measure--the Teacher Role Survey--for 83 public high-school teachers. Teachers with a greater sense of control were significantly more satisfied with their work than were those with a lower sense of control. (SLD)

Performance of 80 college students on class examinations was studied in relation to self-reported levels of state, trait, and general test anxiety. Data show no relationship between state anxiety and performance. However, general test anxiety was related to examination performance. Test anxious students may not prepare well for examinations. (SLD)

The relationship of internality-externality and dominance-submissiveness to student preference for course structure and course difficulty was examined for 86 college students. Preference measures were used, which focused on specific dimensions of instruction--structure and difficulty. In contrast to some other research results, internal and…

Criteria for planning, designing, and writing test items are suggested. The criteria were developed via a discussion by subject matter specialists, psychometricians, and test construction experts. Seven criteria proposed for test items of merit address the congruence of an item with its intended purpose, technical assumptions, and editorial…

By administering an attitude survey to 3,328 parents of elementary school students, use of positive and negative Likert item stems was analyzed. Respondents who answered positive/negative item pairs that were parallel in meaning consistently were compared with those who answered inconsistently. Implications for construction of affective measures…

Measures of reading fluency were investigated as predictors of reading comprehension for 77 third graders and 65 fifth graders. Several of the eight measures investigated were found to be good predictors of comprehension with the potential for use by teachers. Results show that reading fluency is a multidimensional reading construct. (SLD)

Evidence is presented that the analogy between oral and written language development is misleading and that literacy has few of the characteristics of naturally acquired behaviors. It is contended that researchers should concentrate on the differences between oral and written language development. (SLD)

Perceptions and practices of in-service activities for teachers were compared for American public school superintendents from 184 districts and 90 chief educational officers in English schools. Teacher involvement in planning for in-service education was likely to be greater in the United States than in England. (SLD)

Reviews research literature on efforts in the United Kingdom to address racism and the needs of a multicultural society through INSET (Inservice Education of Teachers). Notes recent developments in school-focused work emphasizing action research and teacher participation. Comments on Racism Awareness Training (RAT), problems in all-White areas,…

Evaluates two British ethnographic studies by Bruce Carrington and Edward Wood, and by Cecile Y. Wright claiming to find evidence of teachers' racist attitudes and behaviors toward Afro-Caribbean students that contributed to student underachievement. Delineates methodological flaws. Argues that Wright's findings that the source of racism is in…

Refutes Peter Foster's critique of the author's research study. Suggests Foster misinterprets the work, fails to substantiate his criticisms, and attempts to deny the importance of school processes in perpetuating racism. Maintains that the study was on school processes and not on racism. (CH)

Studies effects of three styles of seminar presentation on the group decision-making process and group dynamics of 126 mature management students. Finds that using a written presentation and offering ideas as guidance increased student participation in discussion and problem solving. Suggests that the briefing paper style tends to encourage…

Shows the level of psychological distress among 574 Western Australian secondary teachers to be twice that expected in the general population. Lists eight school-related factors found to be statistically related to stress. Differences between male and female teachers suggests responses are sex related. (NL)

Investigates how 20 English primary teachers understand the concepts of force and gravity. Uses the interview about instances technique. Finds teachers' views of these concepts are not in accord with accepted scientific interpretations but similar to those of children's views. Discusses implications of the findings. (NL)

Reports two small-scale studies that investigate whether the understanding of scientific concepts will be enhanced by using collaborative pairings. Examines how types of pairings affects performance. Finds students working in pairs outperformed their counterparts working individually. Also notes that dyads improved upon initial performance in…