Examined the role of four separate maternal parenting factors (warmth, punitiveness, intrusiveness, and involvement in school activities) in kindergartners' cognitive competence among Head Start children. Found that maternal intrusiveness predicted child cognitive competence while children were in Head Start, and maternal school involvement…

Examined the relationships between maternal employment and schoolchildren's educational aspirations in Korea. Found that children whose mothers were working full-time had lower educational aspirations, although maternal involvement and parents' educational expectations mitigated these effects. (JPB)

Examined cultural differences in amount and type of maternal scaffolding of children's learning and effects on children's performance at goal-oriented and free play. Participants were Iranian immigrant and Anglo-American mothers and preschoolers. Found that culture related to mothers' choice of scaffolding strategies, and that maternal sensitivity…

Compared the longitudinal effects of phonics and whole-language instruction on kindergartners' reading and writing task performance over one year. Found that the whole-language group made more progress in reading and writing, and with more developmental coherence, than the phonics group. (JPB)

Examined children's readings of wordless picture books to explore ways they assign meaning to visual signs and cues. Found that children used processes similar to those for reading print-based texts; constructing meaning using prior learning, attention to intertextual clues, multiple perspective taking, reliance upon story language and rituals;…

Assessed preschoolers' perceptions of and attitudes toward time out discipline. Found that children were isolated for noncompliance more often than for aggression. Children expressed largely negative self-attributions, such as feeling alone, disliked by the teacher, and ignored by peers, indicating perception of punishment. As they were usually…

Compared the effects of constructivist instruction and instruction based on texts and demonstration on third-graders' conceptualization of force. Found that constructivist instruction was more effective. Patterns of reasoning related to force were identified in levels of conceptualization. (JPB)

Videotaped rough and tumble play to examine how preadolescent boys expressed care and intimacy through such play. Found that, when commenting on videotapes, the boys were clear on where and when it was appropriate to express care and intimacy for one another. Findings suggest teachers and administrators reconsider the importance of this kind of…

The role of context was examined in middle school students' descriptions of barriers to caring in four domains: self, intimate others, acquaintances, and strangers. Interviewed students expressed that nothing would stop them caring for themselves or intimates, while lack of reciprocity and fear of violence would stop them caring for others,…

Assessed education students' choice of teaching as a career, how they thought of themselves as teachers, and what they believed were the sources of their knowledge about teaching. Found a consistent belief in a "special calling" or "gift." Recommended more reflective teaching methods to help teaching students confront their skills and perceptions.…

States that fairness has been a major concern in the field of music adjudication. Reviews the research literature to reveal information about three external characteristics (race, gender, and physical attractiveness) that may affect judges' performance evaluations and influence fairness of music adjudication. Includes references. (CMK)

States that hearing loss that occurs in the musical environment is commonly overlooked. Examines various aspects of the risks musicians take, such as hazardous environments, ignorance, and excessive sound levels. Offers two solutions to reduce the risks: (1) ear protection; and (2) modifications to the environment. Includes references. (CMK)

Examines various scripted rehearsals to determine if preprofessional teachers could differentiate between process and product educational philosophies by presenting them with process-oriented (conceptual) and product-oriented (nonconceptual) strategies in ensemble settings. Provides results and considers implications for teaching. Includes…

Investigates the status of music technology in Illinois public schools (K-12) using a questionnaire. Focuses on (1) the perceived training needs of teachers, (2) ways teachers and students use technology, (3) access to music technology, (4) types of software and hardware, and (5) sources of funding. Addresses the implications. (CMK)

Examined how English special schools, which had been inspected, judged inadequate, and put under special measures, made progress. Data from documentary analysis and case studies in special schools indicated that progress related to the conduct of certain planning-related activities following inspection. Whether these activities happened depended…