Background: High school and college students demonstrate a verbal, or textual, advantage whereby beginning algebra problems in story format are easier to solve than matched equations (Koedinger & Nathan, 2004). Adding diagrams to the stories may further facilitate solution (Hembree, 1992; Koedinger & Terao, 2002). However, diagrams may not…

Lower secondary school teachers from six different schools in one Norwegian municipality reported on the prevalence of problems among pupils entering lower secondary school and types of problems among pupils in Grades 8-10. Teachers report that the transition from Elementary to Lower secondary school is problematic for approximately 30% of the…

This article examines various aspects of school physical characteristics relating to problem behavior among students. We hypothesize that an attractive physical environment will be associated with less truancy, cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use, whereas a negative physical environment will be associated with higher levels of these behaviors.…

A letter from an eighth grade teacher describing the problems students face. (DD)

Reports findings of a survey on the fears, worries, and concerns of eighth-grade students. Results show that educational services to middle-grade students should emphasize developmental and preventive activities, with remedial services focusing on students who express a high level of concern about personal and social issues. (RJM)

IN PREVIOUS STUDIES, A NUMBER OF PERSONALITY VARIABLES, INCLUDING ADJUSTMENT, MOTIVE-TO-ACHIEVE, MOTIVE-TO-AFFILIATE, ACCEPTANCE OF SELF AND OTHERS, AND ACCEPTANCE OF ADULT VALUES HAVE BEEN STUDIED TO DETERMINE THEIR RELATIONSHIPS TO SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT. INTERRELATIONSHIPS AMONG THESE VARIABLES WERE EXAMINED IN THIS STUDY. THE CALIFORNIA TEST OF…

Survey recommends a treatment model that fosters latitude and allows for individual initiative within a framework. Group counseling in conjunction with an educational performance contract is advocated for serious behavior problems. (Author)

Adolescents continue to use alcohol and other drugs despite the profound risks to their health. This thesis examines the attitudes of students in grades 7-9 toward alcohol and other nonprescriptive mind-altering substances. Eight independent variables were investigated: (1) gender; (2) grade placement; (3) DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)…

This guide was developed to accompany fifteen locally produced health education films. The series served as a resource for a statewide instructional program called "Patterns of Health." This part of the program provides students in grades 7 and 8 the opportunity to discuss sensitive issues. The following subjects are dealt with: family…

Descriptive statistics and associated analysis on American eighth graders are presented based on data from the 1988 National Education Longitudinal Study. The study will be repeated with the same cohort at 2-year intervals. Study variables cover attitudes, school performance, and activities of the eighth-grade students. In addition to direct…

Using data from the National Education Longitudinal Study, this report examines eighth grade school variables that might predict college attendance for students whose parents have no college education (n = 2,521). The selected school variables are amenable to public policy and/or skilled leadership, and they include "school structure" (e.g.,…

This two-volume monograph reports the results of the 24th national survey of drug use and related attitudes and beliefs among American high school seniors, the nineteenth such survey of American college students, and the eighth such survey of eighth- and tenth-grade students. The major purpose of this publication is to develop an accurate picture…