The hypothesis that success influences task preferences was tested. Results supported the hypothesis: the probability of change in task preference was greatest under high success reinforcement ratio conditions. (Author)

The subjects in whom the motive to approach success was greater than the motive to avoid failure had significantly more accurate perceptions of occupational prestige and higher occupational aspirations than subjects in whom the motive to avoid failure was greater than the motive to approach success. (Author)

Seventy-five undergraduate students projected their feelings in eight typical achievement situations. As hypothesized, perception of success or failure and effort were casually linked to affect, and task importance contributed to perceived value of the outcome. (Author/RM)

According to two models of innovation processes, those of Lindquist and of Berg and Ostergren, factors which explain why innovations succeed or fail include linkage, openness, gain/loss, ownership, leadership, and power. The models are used to analyze one particular innovation--the course evaluation scheme at the University of Birmingham…

Cites the failings of the National Institute of Education (NIE) and the reasons behind them, discusses the proper federal role in supporting educational research, and suggests developing alternative methods for providing leadership and funding so that the NIE can be abandoned. (PGD)

Grade 5-6 boys worked on a discrimination task under one of five conditions: no feedback; positive feedback following successes; positive feedback following failure; negative feedback following successes; and negative feedback following failures. Boys persisted longest on the task when they received either positive or negative feedback following…

Education majors completed questionnaires about student success or failure in hypothetical situations and their responses were categorized. Dimensions of the category scheme concerned the student (ability and effort), the situation (task difficulty and luck), and the teacher (experience and preparation). (CTM)

Recognizes the issue of nonpromotion as a reality that affects almost every public school. Suggests a simple, inexpensive, and promising remediation technique (modeled after the collegiate athletic practice of "redshirting") utilizing a semantic differential to change the focus of retention from negative inputs to positive outputs. (NEC)

The author refutes the findings of a study (EC 124 401) indicating a birthdate effect on readiness level and suggests that school psychologists and others should stop blaming chronological age for reading failure. (CL)

Points out that current alarmist rhetoric about widespread reading failure is not based on facts. (HOD)

The author describes his dismal experience as assistant principal in a large urban junior high school where few students, teachers, school board members, or administrators would admit the existence of problems associated with overcrowding, understaffing, low self-esteem, high turnover, inexperience, and poor morale, or cooperate sufficiently to…