Reports the results of a study of the match between teacher-made tests and level of instructional objectives for 74 secondary social studies teachers. Concludes that: (1) only a slight majority of teachers think higher order objectives are important, and (2) that few translate this opinion into their instruction or testing. (JDH)

Investigated whether structuring textbook reading passages in accordance with a deductive concept presentation strategy affects students' concept attainment. Results showed that good and average readers scored significantly higher in concept attainment with structuring, but that poor readers failed to show improvement. (TRS)

Examines the interpretation of social studies found in 96 Egyptian teachers-in-training using the Barth/Shermis Social Studies Preference Scale. Results showed the subjects had not developed a meaning for social studies as conceptualized in the United States. Implications of this finding are discussed. (TRS)

Examined what factors were important in the diffusion and adoption of the new social studies program, Toward a Better World. Survey results indicate that media advertisements were ineffective persuaders, while interpersonal communication sources appeared to be more important. Includes tables and references. (TRS)

Reports the steps taken to develop a satisfactory group measure of the Casteel-Stahl model of cognitive-affect-process education. The resulting 60-item Likert format instrument measures a wide array of instructional outcomes, from empathy, communications, decision making, problem solving and personal consistency to acceptance of self and…

This study sought to determine whether teachers' evaluations of student essays are influenced by sex role expectations. Contrary to similar research on non-teachers, the pre-service and in-service teachers in this study evaluated elementary students' essays consistently, regardless of sex of the author. (Author/JDH)

Reports the results of a study of 135 high school students who were randomly assigned to long, medium, and short frame-length treatments of programmed United States History instruction. Results showed significant independent effects for frame length and IQ, in addition to a significant effect for the interaction between the two. (JDH)

This study sought to determine whether social studies teachers could attain sufficient programming expertise to create instructively sound software in an introductory course on AppleSoft BASIC. Analysis of pre- and posttest scores and the programs they authored suggests that such instruction can be efficacious. (Author/JDH)

A social studies concept assessment instrument was developed and used to assess the concept development level of 24 kindergarten and 28 first grade subjects on n social concepts. Significant differences were found in scores for kindergarten and first grade; no significant differences were found in scores for race or sex. (Author/RM)

According to this study, there was no statistically significant difference in the achievement of groups of students who discussed U.S. history material on a low cognitive level, who discussed the material on a high cognitive level, or who did not discuss the material at all. (Author/RM)

Phrases of uncertainty used by social studies teachers in high school history courses negatively influenced achievement for students of all ability levels. A link was found to exist between frequency of teacher uncertainty phrases and student perception of the teacher as a knowledgeable authority on the topics covered. (Author/RM)

Ways in which the ethics of value judgment are inherent in sociological research are examined. Also, the course of action that a researcher should consider when doing or talking ethics in relation to the society in which he or she expects to undertake research is discussed. (Author/RM)

A conception of citizen decision making based on participatory democratic theory is most likely to foster effective citizenship. An examination of social studies traditions suggests that reflective thinking as a teaching method is congenial to this conception. Simulation gaming is a potentially powerful instructional strategy for supporting…

Secondary students who read an economics lesson silently scored significantly higher than students who received an oral presentation of the lesson. A significant interaction between lesson organization and student ability level indicated that highly organized economics lessons increase student learning under certain ability level conditions.…

Original survey data dealing with the attitudes about international relations of secondary students in the metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, area are analyzed. Student opinions were measured in three areas: (1) international interest, knowledge, and information sources; (2) international conflict and the balance of power; and (3) international…