This article reports on a pilot study on the development of historical understanding of elementary school children. Historical fiction was shared with second, fourth, and sixth grade children who retold the story and answered questions. Results are evaluated and suggestions for history instruction at the elementary level are discussed. (Author/MT)

The purpose of this study was to examine and describe the types of questioning strategies used by teachers of elementary level exceptional students during reading instruction, the types of responses by students, and the relationship between teacher questioning and student response. Results are compared to teacher effectiveness research and…

Though construct validity is widely employed in educational research, it is a difficult and confusing topic in methodology, and it is not clear whether all researchers share the same understanding. This essay describes origins of construct validity and suggests a plan for updating its foundations. (MT)

This paper critically examines recent studies investigating the relationship between dramatic play and story comprehension. Four issues to be addressed are (1) play and contextual variables; (2) treatment effects on different subjects; (3) length of effects; and (4) size of effects. Recommendations for future research are made. (Author/MT)

This article presents an empirical context for evaluating the instructional appropriateness of interactive video design and challenges the perspective that places technical capabilities and limitations foremost in prescribing teaching systems. Technology and learners must interact in ways that benefit and optimize the capabilities of both. (MT)

This study examined the relationship between direct (essay) and indirect (objective) assessment of writing skills using 320 college students in remedial courses as subjects. Correlations and results of factor analysis are discussed. (MT)

Two studies were conducted to investigate the degree to which occupational stress among teachers could be attributed to personal characteristics of the individuals themselves. The first study developed dispositional stress scales. The second examined correlations between these scales, occupational stress scales, and teachers' attitudes toward…

This article reviews 34 studies in reading research. It identifies trends related to ambiguous findings about the effect of sentence-combining training on measures of reading comprehension. The effects of grade level and four other variables are described. The use of cloze procedures and standardized tests as measures is discussed. (Author/JL)

This study reports the responses of 202 graduate students and education administrators to an instrument that compared the values respondents used in decision making. The instrument categorized values as personal, organizational, or transcendental. Its usefulness for future research in the field is discussed. (JL)

This study identified factors that influenced the decision-making processes of five experienced elementary school teachers. Information about when, why and how teachers choose to intervene in the learning process was gathered. The factors are identified and discussed within the context of preservice teacher education. (JL)

This study examines variations in the number of months American children spent in school in 1900. Using a sample of 15,321 students aged five to 20 from federal census figures, the effect of regional, community, and individual characteristics on the length of the school term are explored. (JL)

Legal decisions from the past 20 years that have been influential on the direction of the competency-based and teacher certification testing movement are described. Suggestions for test developers are made to guide them in developing tests that are fair and that comply with legal precedents. (JL)

This study examines the impact of a school visitation program at the Tel Aviv Museum on the artistic perceptions of fourth graders. Nine randomly selected classes and four control classes were studied; cognitive and affective perceptions of modern art were measured. The results and their implication for museum visitation programs are discussed.…

During a comprehensive study of childrens' images of the future, the appropriateness of the Delphi technique as a method for studying the thoughts of children was assessed. This article discusses the potential of the Delphi technique based on this research. The research methodolgoy is discussed. (JL)

This study examines opportunities and realities for counselors of adult education distance learners. The needs of adult learners; selected case studies of student service operations in Canada, England, and Australia; and technology used to provide counseling and support services to distance education adults are discussed. (Author/JL)