The role of assessment in the chemistry classroom is ultimately tied to the nature of the assessments available for use. Because they provide data that can inform decisions about curricular changes, or new pedagogies, the incorporation of new assessment strategies can play an important role in how educational and curriculum reform is carried out.…

Based on the analysis of available research on students' alternative conceptions about the particulate nature of matter, we identified basic implicit assumptions that seem to constrain students' ideas and reasoning on this topic at various learning stages. Although many of these assumptions are interrelated, some of them seem to change or…

This commentary pertains to the article, "Childhood Leukemia Survivors and Their Return to School: A Literature Review, Case Study, and Recommendations" by D. Scott Hermann, Jill R. Thurber, Kenneth Miles, and Gloria Gilbert in this issue (2011) regarding pediatric leukemia. The authors present a literature review regarding leukemia in…

Considers college students both as evolving individuals and as participants in social processes in a particular time and place. Discusses cognition, ego identity, ethics, the impact of college, cognitive and ethical development, ego identity in college, socialization, sex role development and political behavior as well as generational issues. (RH)

Describes a research project with teen-aged students in Denmark to illustrate the cognitive processes involved in learning computer programing and discusses the difficulties students encounter when learning to program. The use of home computers is briefly examined in the context of the need for human interaction in learning programing. (Author/LRW)

To assess the mental abilities of mentally retarded children, 100 tests were tried out on more than 350 German Ss and the TBGB ("Test-batterie fur geistig behinderte Kinder"Test battery for mentally retarded children") was developed. (SW)

Argues that the impact of neurological disorganization has been largely overlooked in both the training and in the implementation of educational programs. Discusses the nature and development of intelligence and neurological disintegration. (FL)

Using studies from many countries, the author reviews the advantages and disadvantages of three designs for bilingual instruction: delivery in the second language, initial instruction in the mother tongue, and mixed delivery in both languages. Cognitive development and students' attitudes toward their native language are considered. (SJL)

Examines effectiveness of a school-based, cognitive stress management intervention program. Participating secondary school students showed significant improvement on a variety of emotional arousal measures. Cognitive restructuring training resulted in improvements on self-report measures of trait anxiety, self-esteem, depression, and trait anger.…

Compared 16 fourth- and fifth-grade boys who participated in Discovery, developmental program in which students with history of inappropriate classroom behaviors acted as peer tutors for kindergarten students, to 16 control participants. Found no significant increase in moral development among Discovery participants but did find significant…