Addresses the nature of knowledge that works in practice in the context of professional education and learning, suggesting that knowledge that works plausibly can be viewed as causal knowledge of action-result linkages. Explores the difficulties involved in data-based inferences. (SLD)

Reviews recent studies with respect to two causal relationships between reading disabilities and behavior problems: behavior problems lead to reading difficulties, and reading difficulties cause behavior problems. Suggests an underlying factor of early language difficulties for both reading disabilities and behavior patterns. (SLD)

Reexamines materials from an ethnographic study of science-education laboratory work in a teacher-educator course through the lens of three Marxist concepts: alienation, reification, and commodity fetish. Concludes that the potential for generating criticism of science in teacher education is squandered because of a fetishized notion of science.…

Studied the relationships among students' backgrounds in terms of parental education and socioeconomic level, Finnish linguistic influence, and reading literacy for students in Swedish-speaking schools in Finland. Data from two national studies indicate that home background is more significant for reading literacy than is linguistic background.…

Studied how understanding arises through interviews with 30 first-year university students. Found three main categories of conceptions: (1) experience; (2) mental construction; and (3) merging with reality. Relates results to constructivist models of learning and other phenomenographic studies of conceptions of understanding. (SLD)

Describes Q methodology and describes its application to counseling education because of its ability to give meaning to transitive thought. Suggests Q methodology as a useful systematic approach for counselors to learn about themselves and to include the feeling part of thought in their practice. (Author/SLD)

Explored teachers' self-reported assessment practices and the influence of teaching experience, grade level, and subject area on those practices. Surveys of 893 teachers in 34 schools indicated that they used observational assessment and performance tasks more frequently than traditional assessment. Experienced teachers, elementary teachers, and…

Examined the educational testing and measurement literacy of elementary and secondary teachers. Surveys of 95 teachers indicated that, overall, they did not have extensive knowledge about testing and measurement, though they regularly used the knowledge they had when assessing student progress. There were few differences between elementary and…

Investigated 6000 predominantly American-Indian adolescents' self-reported family connectedness, educational commitment, and risk-taking behavior. Surveys indicated that low family connectedness related to decreased educational commitment and increased risk of absenteeism, substance use, and purchase of substances on campus. American Indian…

Investigated the impact of parental involvement on elementary students' educational outcomes. Data from a study of 193 Los Angeles area second and fifth graders and their mothers indicated that parent school involvement contributes to positive child outcomes. The involvement appears to be a manifestation of parental enthusiasm and positive…

This study used data from the First Follow-Up of the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1998 to examine the effects of part-time work during the school year on high school students' academic achievement as measured by standardized achievement scores and high school grades. Results indicated a small negative effect of employment on both…

Examined whether 11th-grade girls and boys enrolled in advanced mathematics courses nationwide were socialized in similar ways, using Campbell's differential socialization paradigm. Results uncovered a gender gap favoring boys. Self-imposed pressure and persistence had important direct effects on achievement. Self-concept had important direct…

Examined the differential stability of state and trait self-regulation in academic performance in two content areas. Participants were college students enrolled in either an educational psychology course or courses related to research methods. Data from a self-regulatory inventory provided evidence of differential stability of state and trait…

Examined elementary principals' views of combination classes. Interviews indicated they preferred single-grade classes, believing that combinations led to diminished curriculum and parent and teacher concerns. They assigned effective, experienced teachers and high-ability, independent students to these classes. Few viewed combination classes as…

Examined relationships between teachers' perceptions of literacy acquisition and kindergartners' involvement in literacy events and the quality and quantity of classroom literacy materials. Teacher interviews and classroom observations indicated that children in emergent literacy classrooms participated in significantly more literacy events than…