The role of apprehension in the writing competency and writing performance of 110 college undergraduates was investigated. The hypotheses stated that high apprehensives would perform differently than low apprehensives on standardized tests and on two essay tests. The hypothesis for writing performance on standardized tests was confirmed, but the…

A study was done in which preservice education teachers were randomly assigned to a group approach to human relations training, a traditional approach, or a control group. The group approach was designed to develop group cohesiveness. Both group and traditional approaches had greater scores on empathic responding than the control group had. (JN)

A field experiment was done to determine the outcomes of reflective teaching, a laboratory teaching experience that features aspects of peer teaching and microteaching. Results indicate that reflective teaching enhances the ability of students to express themselves in a more analytical manner. (JN)

The individual and contextual effects of schools on the educational aspirations of a national sample of older adolescents is explored. When the factors of student ethnicity, family background, and academic achievement were held constant, a measure of classroom morale was positively associated with educational aspiration. (Authors/JN)

An examination is made of teachers' perception of students' adjustment to first grade. Teachers rated groups of students who had come from either regular or extended-day kindergartens. The results show that teachers believe that students from extended-day kindergartens are better adjusted to first grade than those from regular kindergartens. (JN)

Using the IBM Interactive Instructional System software, a series of interactive study modules for college students taking a course in analysis of variance techniques was developed. Results of the study show that students responded positively and there were significant increases in unit examination performance. (Authors/JN)

A study was done to investigate the use of graphic organizers to compensate for text that was poorly organized. Results support assimilation encoding theory and suggest that organizers aid recall when readers must reorganize information but are of little value when reorganization is unnecessary. (Author/JN)

Research was conducted on secondary school students' perceptions of the problematic aspects of school life. Analysis of data revealed that lack of teacher support and lack of independence were among the problem areas of greatest concern. (JN)

The effects of a morphemically based spelling program were ascertained for students of low, average, and high spelling achievement levels. Results show that the experimental group, in comparison to the control group, significantly improved its spelling performance. (Authors/JN)

The influence of selected teacher centers components on student academic achievement is examined. Differences in teacher self-ratings on effectiveness, teaching style, and use of teacher education resource materials are also examined across treatment groups. (JMF)

The relationship between word synthesis and beginning reading achievement is tested. A stable direct relationship is evidenced between the two, regardless of the child's reading strategy. (JMF)

An investigation of the possibility of teaching students to apply mathematical heuristics to novel mathematical problems is presented. Tenth-grade students demonstrated the ability to apply one heuristic to the solution of novel problems, regardless of the vehicle used. (JMF)

Teachers' and psychologists' ratings of children's potential performance in reading and mathematics are influenced by selected information in referral statements read prior to having objective test scores or rating scales for evaluation. (JMF)

Instruction of linear measurement skills to first and second graders is found to be more effective when taught in a manipulative context than in a graphic context. No differences are observed between manipulative and abstract instructional methods. (JMF)

An examination of principals' decision-making patterns indicates that they are essentially reactive in nature and are reached most often on the basis of reports from subordinates without further search for information or guidance. (JMF)