Discusses how young children, when given a chance in the classroom, display many and varied responses to literature. Shares, through the use of classroom experiences, how language and literature can guide the development of curriculum. (MG)

Examines how college students' marital schemata influences their evaluations of television couples' marital satisfaction. Finds that greater similarity between marital schemata and ratings of television couples' marriage type was associated with higher ratings of perceived television marital satisfaction. Notes that this effect held only for the…

Notes that recent research on peer response suggests that with training and practice, peer respondents learn to read, talk, and think about writing with greater maturity and sophistication. Argues that students have a great deal to learn from giving as well as receiving response. (RS)

Three different applications of the testlet concept are presented, and the psychometric models most suitable for each application are described. Difficulties that testlets can help overcome include (1) context effects; (2) item ordering; and (3) content balancing. Implications for test construction are discussed. (SLD)

The four main subsystems of the MicroCAT Testing System for developing, administering, scoring, and analyzing computerized tests using conventional or item response theory methods are described. Judgments of three users of the system are included in the evaluation of this software. (SLD)

Describes study of elementary school students in two age groups that assessed the impact of two control strategies on children's emotional reactions to a frightening movie scene. Hypotheses tested are explained, results of comparative analyses between the two age groups are discussed, and further research needs are suggested. (46 references) (LRW)

Effects of loss of a parent--assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory and other measures--were measured using 34 female and 16 male adolescents. High levels of informal social support, good relations with the surviving parent prior to the loss, balanced personality, and the presence of religious beliefs influenced healthy adaptation. (SLD)

Responds to two opening articles by Parham ("Cycles of Psychological Nigrescence") and Helms ("Considering Some Methodological Issues in Racial Identity Counseling Research"). The epistemological foundations of the (Non-African-based) source model of Black identity are examined from an Afrocentric perspective. (TE)

Analyzes the relationships between family day-care providers and the children in their care, based on questionnaire responses of the providers. Discusses ambiguities of distinguishing between feelings toward their own children and those children for whom they provide paid care. Explores effects of the context of care-giving and relations with…

Describes a diffusion study that examined how a group of college students learned about the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger, and how they employed interpersonal exchanges and the media to cope with the news. The relationship between mass and interpersonal communication is discussed, and future studies are suggested. (19 references) (LRW)

An advanced college-level composition course highlighting differences in writing intended for different cultural groups was designed to teach American students how to communicate thoughts and feelings effectively to various international audiences. (MSE)

Examines significant teacher behavior which positively affects students' perceptions of the teacher-student relationship. Identifies specific self-disclosive statements which students attributed to good and/or poor teachers. Finds a significant relationship between teachers' self-disclosive statements and students' perceptions. (MM)

Considers two questions which adolescents must ask of themselves and the world as they grow up: how to separate from other people and how to connect with them. Concludes that as writers and readers people act separately, but through the books, people connect. (MG)

Responds to "new scholarship on women" perspective presented in previous article by Greiner, reacting to each of the six basic tenets of the perspective. Concludes that the tenets are thought-provoking and perspective building. Expresses hope that new perspective can help professionals understand sex differences and apply such understanding in…

Presents five individual narratives which describe the internal struggles experienced by teachers in resolving the empowerment issue, while learning to support and trust their students' learning. (MM)