This study identified the personality types of students in an early teaching experience program who either continued or discontinued teacher preparation, and of 886 students who completed their program as a function of certification area. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator data indicated that the sensing-feeling-judging profile described significant…

Two longitudinal studies examined the relationship between phonemic awareness and reading achievement in primary grades. Results found a significant correlation between kindergarten performance on phonemic awareness tasks and second-grade reading achievement. A three-year followup of low-scorers indicated that most of those students (who were a…

Primary teachers completed the Theoretical Orientation to Reading Profile and Primary Teacher Questionnaire to determine their endorsement of developmentally appropriate practice. Results indicated a substantial congruence between the constructs underlying the notion of developmentally appropriate practice and those that are fundamental to a whole…

This study examined reciprocal relationships between attitude toward mathematics and mathematics achievement. High school seniors from the Dominican Republic completed mathematics achievement tests and a questionnaire on mathematics attitudes. Results indicated that reciprocal relationships existed, suggesting that the reciprocal nature between…

This study examined the validity of the Teacher Efficacy Scale, modified for special education resource-room teachers. It also examined the relation between teacher efficacy and the frequency and utility of supervision. Perceived utility, but not frequency, of supervision was significantly related to teacher efficacy. (SM)

The effects of peer coaching on teachers' acclimation of an integrated instructional approach was investigated, with emphasis on the impact on teacher and student outcomes. Elementary teachers planned and conducted activities alone, then with peer coaches, then alone. More procedural changes occurred during peer coaching than in the initial…

Reports a study that investigated gender equity in science education based on a random national sample of over 12,000 ninth graders in five rural and urban Chinese provinces. Data analysis found significant gender differences in science achievement in all five provinces, with males receiving higher scores. (SM)

Researchers used data from 8,100 high school students participating in the High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study to test a model of at-risk students' school learning. Results indicated that ability, quality of schooling, student motivation, and enrollment in academic coursework were important predictors of academic achievement. (SM)

Reports a Louisiana study that investigated relationships between black high school students' academic achievement and their peers' and families' socioeconomic and social status. Test scores, school data, and student surveys indicated that family poverty status, family social status, and peers' family social status all influenced individual…

Researchers examined relationships among children's television viewing, school readiness, parental employment, and the home environment's educational quality. Thirty low-income parents completed surveys. Their preschoolers completed IQ and school readiness assessments. Television viewing adversely related to school readiness and the home…

Researchers examined how different reading and language arts assignments influenced third graders' (N=187) motivational goals, strategy use, and achievement affect. Teachers (N=8) modified assignments to increase students' complex writing and peer collaboration. Evaluation indicated students became less focused on teacher approval or normative…

This study investigated middle school organizational patterns and their impact on teachers' efficacy and perceptions of the working environment. Analysis of survey responses by 81 eighth grade teachers indicated that teachers on interdisciplinary teams with common planning time were significantly more positive than were teachers on…

Reports a study in which Israeli researchers examined school cultural differences between effective and average secondary schools. The 20 participating schools taught mainly disadvantaged students. Teachers completed the Perceived School Culture Inventory. Results indicated that schools varied in their cultural dimensions, and the variation…

Data were obtained from the 1987-1991 Longitudinal Study of American Youth for this study of secondary students. Beyond the expected effects of gender, socioeconomic status, reading ability, and prior achievement, homework effects were found for mathematics achievement; and homework and assessment format effects were found for science achievement.…

This study questioned a previously observed relationship between seventh grade academic failure and later dropout behavior using five mediating variables. Researchers estimated a causal model with data from individuals tested in seventh through ninth grades and as young adults. Certain mediating factors (e.g., low motivation and perception of peer…