An analysis of 300 undergraduate psychology student ratings of teachers was undertaken to assess the magnitude of halo error and a variety of rater, ratee, and course characteristics. The raters' halo errors were significantly related to student effort in the course, previous experience with the instructor, and class level. (TJH)

This study of students and teachers in 40 secondary classrooms in a large, southwestern high school investigated the relation of classroom climate to on-task behavior of students. Multiple regression and stepwise analyses indicated that social climate variables--including teacher support/control, rule clarity, and innovation--are significantly…

A study involving 240 undergraduate business students in four different types of class situations (non-major required, non-major elective, major required, and major elective) was undertaken to determine dimensions that students use to evaluate teachers. Findings indicate that the relative importance of various dimensions is associated with type of…

Sixty-four female preservice teachers recorded their internal dialogues (private self-talks). Each type of self-talk was categorized according to E. Berne's transactional states (adult, parent, and child), J. B. Rotter's locus of control, and directional states (positive, negative, and neutral). Adult states, external loci, and negativism…

Surveys of two second-grade and two fifth-grade classes (45 and 40 students, respectively) assessed effects on student attitudes of using the process approach to writing as the core of poetry instruction. The approach worked for both grades for poetry, but only for fifth graders for other creative writing forms. (TJH)

The concept that classroom teachers have the knowledge, skill, and experience to validate research findings as related to specific objectives and the broader outcomes of education is discussed. Teaching effectiveness is enhanced by matching principles of learning (participation, readiness, comprehension, satisfaction, and retention) with…

A three-part training procedure was developed to adapt thinking-aloud writing protocols (TAWPs) for use with children as verbal reports of their audience awareness. Four nine-year olds wrote letters while producing TAWPs. Children know that audience factors affect writers' decisions, but they do not use this awareness when making writing…

Statewide achievement testing programs in public schools are examined from a historical perspective over 150 years. Written tests, standardized tests, intelligence tests, and test batteries are considered. A survey of present programs demonstrates a wide variety that is attributable to the ad hoc origins of these programs. (SLD)

A Q-sort instrument was used to investigate differences in the perceptions of 144 freshmen and sophomores in an orientation program to a teaching course and 120 juniors in introductory education courses of the ideal teacher and themselves as teachers. Relatively stable views of the ideal and self were found. (SLD)

The Self-Description Questionnaire (SDQ), a multidimensional instrument designed to measure seven facets of self-concept hypothesized in Shavelson's hierarchical model was administered to fifth- and sixth-grade students. Teachers also evaluated each student's self-concept along the same dimensions. There was substantial student-teacher agreement…