This paper examines and critiques several learning style inventories (LSI) in an effort to find the optimal research instrument for a proposed empirical study of both the quality of courseware and the impact of courseware characteristics on variations of learning effectiveness due to learner characteristics. Five LSIs are examined: (1) Dunn LSI;…

Existing classroom data were used in a preliminary test of a theoretical model of student academic motivation. Expected relationships among verbal ability, internality, self-esteem, and success were found, along with evidence that class grouping may alter them. Problems encountered using existing research for other purposes are described.…

Reviews previous effective-schools research frameworks and examines underlying assumptions and methodological implications. Drawing on an Israeli study, argues that the modeling of school-effectiveness studies must be both multilevel and interactive. Achievement depends on the particular combination of a pupil's home background and general…

This paper focuses on transition programs for youth to postsecondary education, broadly considered. It addresses the following questions: (1) What models or programs of transition exist? (2) On what basis can we say one transition program is more effective than another? In other words, how is successful transition defined? (3) How are…

This article describes the Munich Longitudinal Study of Giftedness (initially including about 25,000 students) and concludes that, although the multidimensional model proved to be useful in predicting achievement behavior, the typological attempts failed. Distinct differences between academically gifted and creatively gifted students were found.…

In order to design programs that will work well with Indian students, the Indian Education Section of the urban Minneapolis Public Schools is seeking accurate data about its 1,800 American Indian students through a conceptual research model that focuses on demographics, background and socialization variables, and school performance. Among the…

The methodological parameters of evaluative research studies help to identify a conceptualization of the phenomenon under investigation. Holistic critiques that identify the conceptual models under which the research was conducted shed light on the validity of the disparate inferences made from a number of studies of schools and school…

This study uses a production function approach to identify the impact of student, parent, teacher, and school policy variables on student performance as measured by test scores. Our statistical analysis is conducted in a comparative institutional context that includes government, private, and non-governmental organization schools. We find that, at…