Examines the effects of kindergarten students (N=21) self recording their progress in learning skills. Results showed that rate of achievement increased dramatically when the children began to keep and display their own records. (JAC)

Discusses aspects of first-grade promotion practices, including a study of evaluation criteria used in making retention decisions, an examination of the effectiveness of transition room programs, and the effects of first-grade promotion practices on a program for preventing learning disabilities and academic failure. (JAC)

Examined the readability of psychoeducational reports and the effectiveness of manipulating report variables to facilitate parental interpretation (N=114). The data indicated that traditional reports are written above the reading level of most parents, but modification of selected report variables facilitates parental interpretation. (JAC)

Surveyed 50 elementary teachers who rated problem behaviors to indicate how much the behaviors disturbed and concerned them. The results suggested that teachers are more concerned about behaviors than disturbed by them. However, teachers were both disturbed and concerned about aggressive interaction with and between students. (Author/JAC)

Reviews school retention practices, compares children recommended for retention (N=144) with controls (N=68), and examines the effects of retention with promotion in similarly functioning children. Results indicated retention did not benefit children academically or in personal or social adjustment. (JAC)

Investigated the effects of verbal-mediated modeling on transfer to a criterion-referenced paper/pencil task in 51 low-IQ students. Results indicated no significant correlation between concrete operational reasoning and reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, or language expression. (JAC)

Evaluated the use of computer-automated reading in reading instruction for primary students. Results indicated that compared to controls, students in the experimental group experienced significant achievement gains. The resource role of the school psychologist is also discussed. (JAC)

Examined self-efficacy in children (N=24) with conduct disorders. Subjects were given success or failure feedback for a series of problems, and task persistence was evaluated. Results indicated the success group had significantly higher self-efficacy following feedback. There was a positive correlation between task persistence and self-efficacy.…

Investigated the accuracy of teacher predictions (N=20) of reward preferences of 49 fifth and sixth graders. Findings suggested that students need to be involved in selecting their own rewards when planning behavioral interventions and that for some students, particularly boys, rewards available outside the classroom may be most effective. (JAC)

Convergent and discriminant validity of the Mental Processing Scales of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) were examined using 51 first-grade children. Results supported the convergent validity of the K-ABC; correlations with reading achievement were fairly large. The discriminant validity received only partial support. (Author)

Compared the scores of Native American and Anglo American preschoolers (N=58) on the Primary Self-Concept Inventory. Analysis of the variance revealed no overall significant difference between self-concept scores; however, mean scores on the variable of Personal-Self were significantly higher for Native American preschoolers. (Author)

First graders (N=26) completed the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, McCarthy Scales, and Woodcock-Johnson Scales of Cognitive Ability. Two years later, their academic achievement was determined by Wide Range Achievement Test and teacher ratings. Results suggest that all three intellectual measures are appropriate for predicting…

Revised Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test was administered to 410 Australian children to determine if significant cultural differences were apparent on Form L or M of revised test. Data indicated that there were differences that, while statistically nonsignificant, could lead to inaccurate clinical classification if all American items and norms were…

Evaluated number of format and direction changes across tests and grade levels of major elementary standardized reading achievement tests. Number of format changes varies from one change every 1.2 minutes on Metropolitan Achievement Test Level E1 to one change every 21.3 minutes on P1 level of Stanford Achievement Test. (Author)

Often regarded as equivalent instruments, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) yielded significantly different Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale scores for intellectually subaverage group, with WAIS-R consistently providing higher scores. This has implications for issues of…