Estimates of time spent in and time needed for learning were obtained for 118 third-graders on specific tasks. Maximizing time spent resulted in significantly higher 1-day retention scores for 63 students spending less time than needed but did not affect retention for 55 students spending more time than needed to learn tasks. (SLD)

Path analysis examined effects of tutor-tutee ethnic similarity (ES), tutor expertise, and perceived goal attainment (PGA) on the satisfaction of 425 college student tutors of disadvantaged elementary school students. The major influence on satisfaction was tutors' PGA; ES had an indirect impact and expertise had direct and indirect effects. (SLD)

Sixty-six elementary school students were interviewed about substantive and conventional aspects of academic knowledge. Even first graders distinguished intellectual conventions from the substance of the disciplines and construed the conventions as arbitrary social practices to foster communication. (SLD)

The reasons 184 American and 399 Japanese fifth-graders gave for achievement and good conduct in school were compared. Responses of Japanese children may reflect stronger identification with adult authority. Japanese children gave fewer external reasons for actions than their American counterparts. Implications for the study of motivation are…

Naturalistic observation was used to investigate the occurrence of behaviors reflecting social competence and information processing in problem solving within educational computing environments. Forty-eight first and third graders were observed working in pairs on the computer. Findings indicate that a LOGO programing environment is superior to…

The impact of the sex of a story's main character on boys' and girls' reading interest and comprehension was studied with 540 fifth graders. A strong sex-of-reader/sex-of-main-character correlation was observed on the interest measure, while it had no effect on reading comprehension. (TJH)

Development of a student learning model, based on the analysis of 14 students' classroom experiences in 3 elementary and middle school studies, is described. Data analysis rules derived from the model predicted learning with 80-85% success across the studies. (SLD)

Results from a study involving 32 learning-disabled, 17 gifted, and 14 normally achieving students from grades 4 and 5 support the idea that learning-disabled children's problem-solving performance reflects a weak integration of metacognitive skills with online processing and problem solution. (SLD)

A peer mediation program in a suburban elementary school was studied to determine the types of conflicts, the strategies used in conflict resolution, and the types of resolutions at school and at home. Comparisons of 144 program students with 83 untrained students revealed significant impact of peer mediation. (SLD)

Two interventions derived from expectation states theory that were intended to counteract stratification in classrooms through academically heterogeneous small groups were tested in 13 elementary school classrooms. Supported the hypotheses that use of status treatments would be associated with higher rates of participation of low-status students.…

In 2 studies, 53 elementary school students in Australia participating in gifted and talented programs experienced systematic declines in 3 components of academic self-concept but not in 4 components of nonacademic self-concept. Results are discussed in terms of the "big-fish-little-pond" effect proposed by H. Marsh. (SLD)

The types of help students sought while solving mathematics problems under the tutelage of an adult were studied for 118 3rd and 6th graders classified as high, medium, and low achievers. Sixth graders were more likely to ask for process-related hints. Other age and ability differences are discussed. (SLD)

Family interaction and home socialization concerning education issues were described for six Mexican-American families in California with six children in grade two. The strengths of the families have important relevance for education, regardless of the different ways the parents exercised their roles, particularly with regard to homework. (SLD)

Two Hispanic-American first grade girls were studied for one year by naturalistic and qualitative methods. The child for whom the teacher had low expectations did very well at reading, whereas the child of whom more was expected did less well. Why this occurred is discussed. (SLD)

Effects of a restructured Chapter 1 program (RCP) on 45 first graders' literacy were examined. RCP students could read a primer fluently and performed better than comparison groups (students in the regular Chapter 1 program and classroom peers). Improvement was particularly apparent for those with the lowest initial readiness scores. (SLD)