Reports a longitudinal study of the link between home variables (mainly maternal support), cognitive prerequisites of preschoolers, and later school achievement (spelling, reading, and arithmetic). Maternal support significantly affected competencies and academic achievement. Cognitive competencies predicted later academic achievement; achievement…

Reports a study of classroom environmental variables related to students' views about science. Environmental and attitude scales indicated a wide variety of science classroom environments, teaching philosophies, and teaching expertise. In classrooms with significant student involvement, teacher support, group affiliation, organization, and teacher…

The effectiveness of two spelling software programs on the weekly spelling performance of underachieving elementary students was studied. Students learned the programs, and data were collected over the school year. Data analyses indicated both programs generated higher accuracy in spelling than traditional procedures. Students sustained the…

Survey examined 1,244 elementary principals' understanding of current issues in elementary reading instruction and information sources they used to learn about issues. Principals reported awareness of current reading issues. They did not have enough confidence in their understanding of issues to give a reasoned rationale for taking one particular…

Reports findings of a study that investigated fifth and sixth graders' attending and participating behaviors during mathematics. Some students, especially low achievers, manifested passivity in cooperative small groups. Some possible reasons for this behavior are suggested, and a categorization of types of passivity is provided. (Author/SM)

Using the Personal Teaching Efficacy Scale, a study investigated the comparative efficacy of six groups of educators with varying levels of experience. Efficacy scores were higher for experienced educators in some simulated classroom situations and for preservice students in others. No pattern of situation types resulted in differences among the…

Parents of elementary students completed questionnaires assessing parent efficacy and educational involvement. Teachers completed questionnaires on teacher efficacy, perceptions of parent efficacy, and estimates of parent involvement. Results indicated significant relationships between self-reported parent efficacy and three involvement…

This study investigated elementary and secondary teachers' organizational commitment and workplace value orientation. Data from a questionnaire measuring organizational value orientation and commitment indicated differences in organizational culture between elementary and secondary schools. Results confirmed the relationship between value…

Results of two investigations of leader characteristics and behaviors associated with extraordinary performance are reported. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Results indicated transformational leadership was more prevalent in higher education than at other levels; they emphasized the importance of professional development…

Written feedback, placed on five students' reading assignments, was evaluated in a multiple baseline design across students. The outcomes indicated improved accuracy in reading when the feedback was provided by the teacher. Differences between previous research and the present study are discussed. (AMH)

To examine the effect of motivational manipulated conditions on students' mathematics scores, elementary students received either ordinary standardized test instructions or special instructions (do as well as possible for themselves, parents, and teachers). Those given special instructions scored significantly higher in the test, implying that…

High school students' preferences for teacher versus computer feedback on written compositions were studied. Three compositions composed at the terminal were evaluated by the teacher, a computer grammar checker, and the student's choice of teacher or computer. Questionnaires indicated that students strongly favored teacher evaluation because of…

Study investigated which teacher activities related to differences in kindergarten students' reading performance. Teacher observation and fall and spring tests of reading performance indicated that what happened in the classrooms, rather than length of school day, determined children's reading ability at the end of kindergarten. (SM)

Researchers examined whether there were differences in the way elementary history textbook and trade book passages were structured. Analyses of text structure in topic-similar passages from both types of books indicated trade books were more comprehensible than history textbooks by being better structured and more coherent. (SM)

Two studies developed and initially validated an instrument for measuring perceptions of teaching autonomy. Teachers at all grade levels were surveyed on teaching autonomy, then 20 refined items were administered to other teachers. Results yielded two factors that were internally consistent: general teaching autonomy and curricular autonomy. (SM)