Researchers used four token reinforcement systems--tokens only, descriptive praise, self-reinforcement, and a combination of all three--and observed the effect on the problem solving performance of fourth-grade reading students. Only students using the combination reward system maintained their progress after tokens were withdrawn. (Authors/PP)

Variables that affect the use of knowledge gained by educators at workshops were investigated. Knowledge use is significantly associated with: (1) school climate variables such as staff treatment, goal direction, and problem solving; and (2) workshop features such as clear explanations, job relevance, and amount and qualities of instruction. (FG)

Four variables were tested for their influence on the holding power of 32 high schools in Israel: (1) level of disadvantaged students; (2) school attractiveness and class size; (3) teacher's educational level; and (4) school dropout rate. Correlations were found between level of disadvantaged students and school attractiveness, and between teacher…

Develomental patterns in the reading and aural skills of 45 preschool, kindergarten, and first grade children, were assessed. Children with increasing reading abilities were progressively more successful in their ability to segment words in both aural and visual contexts. (FG)

College faculty and freshmen program participated in a study of the effect of teachers' preference for complexity and tolerance to ambiguity. Teachers who preferred high complexity classroom interaction maintained significantly more verbal responses in the higher levels of cognition, thereby challenging student thinking. (PP)

The consequences of using departmentally constructed instruments for student evaluation of faculty was investigated in a university for reliability, validity, and consistency. Results indicated that a great deal of discrepancy exists among departments concerning evaluation factors, appropriate weightings for factors, wording of items, and…

The effectiveness of Feuerstein's Instrumental Enrichment program (FIE) in improving the cognitive performance of slow learners was tested for one year with low performing vocational high school students in Ontario (Canada). Improved cognitive performance was noted for FIE students, although changes in personality and attitude were substantiated…

A study compared mentoring among teachers, nurses, and police officers. Results are compared to studies conducted in other professions, and suggestions for educators and administrators are offered. (FG)

A study investigated the hypothesis that poor comprehension or recall of task demands, rather than a putative lack of goal directedness, is a possible source of learning-disabled children's poor performance of experimental tasks. Clear instructions substantially facilitated performance by both normally achieving and learning disabled children of…

This study examined curriculum materials used by 11-year-olds in schools in six states and categorized the materials according to the Annehurst Curriculum Classification System. Most materials were in the language arts and mathematics fields and were classified as low in the human dimension categories measured by the Annehurst System. (Authors/PP)

Degree of lesson complexity was examined and related to the type of approach used by eighth grade teachers. Results indicated that teachers adapt to the perceived complexity of class activities and to students' behavior cues, using direct instruction more frequently in mathematics and science than in the humanities and language arts. (Author/PP)

A study of young children's use of literature during free play, of the physical design of library corners, and of teacher's literature activities found positive correlations among these elements. Observations of nursery school classrooms revealed that many lacked inviting library corners and that many teachers did not sufficiently encourage…

To determine whether increasing teachers' effectiveness influences the relationship between teachers' initial expectations for a student and the student's actual performance, data were gathered on intermediate grades and secondary school teachers who participated in a mastery learning workshop. Correlations between teacher expectations and student…

Analysis of high school discussion classes revealed no "male dominance" in the rate of participation or weight of contribution. On all indices, males and females participated in proportion to their numbers in class. Differences in participation did not appear to be the result of sociocultural traits. (Author/PP)

Ninth grade remedial readers at a suburban Chicago high school were given a language development program which included reading while listening to tapes and lessons in syntactic manipulation. Analysis of program effects showed that students improved their ability to understand and manipulate syntactic structures. Reading did not improve markedly.…