Reviews literature from several disciplinary and theoretical perspectives on the relationship between academic failure and student attitudes and behavior. Argues that the current process of schooling generates negative student attitudes and antisocial behavior, and examines how improved research methods might generate a more complete view of…

Investigated teachers' ability to identify students at-risk for failure. Found correlations between teachers' ratings and standard measures of intelligence and ability of 337 sixth graders were highly significant and predictive of high school grades. At-risk students were significantly less academically able, more anxious and had lower…

This study compared causal perceptions of teachers and pupils regarding pupils' success or failure on a test. Teachers attributed success to themselves, to home conditions, and to effort on the part of the student. They attributed failure to the pupils' lack of preparation, low ability, and test difficulty. The perceptions of the pupils were…

The case involves the academic dismissal of a female medical student and her allegation of denial of due process. Other related decisions are reviewed. It is concluded that this decision endangers the vitality of the concept of due process. Available from "NY Law School Law Review," 57 Worth St., New York, NY 10013. (MSE)

A study involving five fourth-grade behavior problem children with reading failure was designed to replicate an earlier study which demonstrated positive effects of teacher written praise notes as motivating agents for improved performance. (SBH)

A look at one adult literacy class in India indicated that, despite apparently ideal educational conditions, students remained almost illiterate. The author comments on the results and speculates on the reasons. (MF)

Discusses the educational philosophy and the writings of James Comer, who argues that education clings to a model of teaching and learning that promises only failure for countless children and that teacher training fails to equip teachers for the realities and demands of contemporary classrooms. (SR)

This article describes the problem-solving model (PSM) used in the Minneapolis Public Schools to guide decisions regarding intervention in general education, special education referral, and evaluation for special education eligibility for high-incidence disabilities. Program evaluation indicates students received special education services earlier…

Data from a national survey of high school students were examined to determine the effects of increased mathematics requirements on the kinds of mathematics students studied, dropout rates, achievement test score gains, and the association of socioeconomic status with test scores and dropping out. Results found little effect on probability of…

Two models are presented, which depict dropping out as a developmental process that may begin in the earliest grades. The frustration-self-esteem model focuses on school failure and student rejection of or by a school. The participation-identification model focuses on student involvement in schooling, with behavioral and emotional components. (TJH)

Tenth graders' causal attributions about mathematics and reading success/failure were examined, along with relationships between these attributions and academic achievement and sex. Achievement data for 143, 153, and 105 of the students from grades 2, 5, and 10, respectively, were analyzed. Some attributions are sex specific, but others are not.…

Examines the relationship between academic locus of control and LOGO performance among Black and White primary school students in Zimbabwe. Found that Black females' LOGO scores were negatively related to internal academic locus of control, Black and White males' scores were positively related, and White females' scores were unrelated. (LS)

Type A and B students (N=159) received contingent or non-contingent feedback on an aptitude test, attended a lecture from an expressive or unexpressive instructor, and received an achievement test and attributional questionnaire. Non-contingent feedback lowered perceived control for both types. Self-perceptions of Type A students were unaffected…

Compares results of story telling to kindergarten students using text only, helpful video, and minimal video. Results indicate that multimedia technologies are valuable tools for supporting the development of story comprehension, mental model building, and literacy in young children who are at-risk for school failure. Sample stories used in…

Examined the self-protective role of social attributions by comparing individual attributions made to the self, to one's ethnic group, and to factors external to oneself. Results from 309 Black, Hispanic, and White mothers show they all attributed positive outcomes to themselves, while Whites attributed failure to themselves personally. Middle-…