Findings from a study of 504 second grade students indicate that phonics knowledge has a causal impact on both reading comprehension and vocabulary gains; reading comprehension has a causal effect on vocabulary gains. (Author/IAH)

Findings from a longitudinal study which examined the stability of reading attitude from early childhood to the middle-adult years suggest that reading attitude is a stable construct over time, although early childhood measures of reading attitude are poor predictors of adult attitude. Young adult measures are the best predictors. (IAH)

Results from a study to determine whether the effects of repeated readings are comparable for learning-disabled (LD) and nondisabled readers (N=50) indicate that, regardless of classification (LD or nondisabled) or level of functioning (instructional- or mastery-level), repeated readings produced more fluent reading and greater recall. (IAH)

Findings from a study which examined the relationship between study time and test scores indicate that time spent organizing had a stronger relationship with course test scores than did total study time or time spent reading and reviewing. Subjects were 113 undergraduates who kept daily self-monitoring logs of study activities. (IAH)

Findings from a study of 111 high school biology students indicate that students who received instruction combining a pictorial analogy comparing the cell to a factory and an analogical study guide displayed significantly better comprehension of this material than did their peers, whose instruction did not include the pictorial representation.…

A national study examined the essay performance of 17-year olds (n=288), relating their written composition and writing motivation scores to 9 previously studied educational and environmental influences on learning (e.g., age, motivation, mass media, peer groups, home). Results indicate that writing performance is much less predictable then…

Experiments investigated the learning effects of two strategies (whole-word and segmented feedback) in beginning readers. Results from both experiments indicate whole-word sound feedback is more helpful than segmented feedback. (SM)

Data from a longitudinal survey of mathematically precocious 13-year olds (n=1,247) were used to test 5 factors (quality and quantity of instruction, home environment, motivation, and ability) for their ability to predict educational achievement and educational and career aspirations. Students were followed until age 23. (SM)

Study examined the ways 117 low-socioeconomic third graders interacted during acquisition of new mathematical skills. The effects of cooperative-mastery-learning (CML) strategies on their mathematics achievement were investigated. Two experiments indicated that students exposed to CML performed better than those given more traditional instruction.…

Describes how elementary teachers identified school climate as a major concern and planned collaboratively for change. Using a change process model, teachers identified school-climate indicators that were used to develop a discrepancy measurement instrument. Using a consensus decision-making process, the teachers produced objectives and…

Study collected 340 Israeli student teachers' views on teaching. Questionnaires indicated significant uncertainty regarding approaches to class management and progressive opinions on curriculum and instruction. Views of prospective elementary teachers at teachers colleges were more progressive than those of secondary teachers at universities. (SM)

The High School and Beyond survey collected experiences of dropouts and high school graduates. Researchers compared dropping out to personal, social, and labor market experiences four years after projected graduation date. Dropouts differed from graduates in personal and social adjustment but not self-esteem. Male and female dropouts had different…

Researchers compared fourth graders' literature preferences and examined categories of children's literature as preference indices. They investigated whether children preferred to read or view selections. Students expressed preferences on an annotated titles inventory. Content was a more powerful preference factor than traditional classifications…

Study compared teachers contemplating quitting the profession with teachers planning to continue. Subjects completed surveys which assessed work-related attitudes, perceptions, and reaction to work environment conditions. Results indicate that teachers who plan to quit or remain can be reliably distinguished by patterns of work-related attitudes,…

Researchers tested the Concerns Based Adoption Model and the Stages of Concern Questionnaire (SoCQ), which address professionals' feelings about innovation. Professionals who received innovative training on early intervention completed the survey. Results support the Concerns Based Adoption Model's broad underlying assumptions. A revised model and…