This article describes a proposed model of self-directed critical thinking that comprises two interrelated and equal components: one cognitive and the other motivational. The model stresses the importance in critical thinking of the child's present store of general information. Examples illustrate the operation of the model. (IAH)

Effective teaching behaviors that have cognitive and affective learning effects on students' were identified in this study. Subjects were 50 grade-8 Dutch mathematics teachers. Findings indicate more teaching behaviors have a positive effect on mathematical knowledge than have a positive effect on students' attitudes toward mathematics. (IAH)

This study evaluated multiple-choice and sentence verification technique items as on-line measures of comprehension while subjects (N=940 Air Force enlistees) read computer-presented text. Also evaluated was whether presentation of on-line questions had a positive impact on text learning. (IAH)

A study of third- and fourth-grade students found no significant differences between underachieving and normally achieving children for the measures of cognitive-impulsivity, selective attention, and sustained attention. However, significant differentiation was provided by teacher ratings indicating poorer classroom behavior, lack of attention,…

Results of a study involving 300 high school and middle school students indicated that students whose homes were called with a computer dialing device when the child was absent from school had a better overall attendance record than students whose homes were not called. (IAH)

Results of a study which partially replicated Roller's study of the effects of text-based (text structure) and reader-based (previous knowledge) factors on judgments of importance in exposition, suggest that ratings may be a more sensitive and dependable index of importance judgments than written summaries. (IAH)

Data from a study involving 43 grade 3-6 teachers suggests that teachers are able to differentiate effort and achievement when assigning ratings, and experiential relevance and familiarity are important factors in any grading system that teachers can successfully use. (IAH)

Results of an experimental study involving 49 sixth-grade science students suggest that teacher-constructed graphic organizers, regardless of position (before or after textual reading), are no more effective than traditional instruction in increasing comprehension and retention of science content-area information. (IAH)

Results of a study of 298 students (grades 3, 5, and 7) enrolled in Catholic and public schools suggest that school-related curiosity decreases as a function of grade level in both school settings. The grade level effect appeared stronger in the Catholic school. No significant gender effect was noted. (IAH)

Results of a study of 117 eighth-grade math students suggest: mastery-based methods were more effective than non-mastery methods in improving lesson achievement; computer-based and traditional delivery systems are of greatest value when complementing each other; and student attitudes were only nominally affected by various treatments. (IAH)

A study of 152 teacher preparation students, at three different training levels, found that students considered social defiance behaviors (destructiveness, aggression, disobedience) by pupils less tolerable, more controllable by the child, more costly, and more likely to be managed with restrictive behavior than social immaturity behavior…

An experimental study involving 32 second-grade poor readers found that students involved in dyad reading groups (buddy reading groups) made greater achievement gains on all reading outcomes (vocabulary and comprehension) than the matched control students. (IAH)

An experimental study involving 44 matched pairs of Israeli first graders found that reading at a faster pace increased comprehension and reduced errors in spite of the insertion of pictorial distractors. (IAH)

This article discusses findings from three studies investigating the effect of special instruction in sentence-combining on reading comprehension and writing skills. Results indicate significant gains among younger or still-developing students and focused gains among older students. (IAH)

This article describes findings from an analysis of principal leadership behavior and activities in 32 urban high schools. The study examined the extent of leadership, the areas in which principals provide leadership, as well as school and district conditions that may be related to the leadership role of principals. (Author/MT)