Possible interpretive arguments for licensure and certification test scores are examined, and evidence to support each type of argument is analyzed. Particular attention is given to a competency-based argument that involves a sequence of inferences from test scores to statements about competence and then to conclusions about expected performance.…

Outlines how contemporary reading theorists conceptualize reading fluency, discussing why it is a good indicator of reading process efficiency. Suggests ways to foster development of reading fluency. Children must acquire the automatic word and phrase processing that enables fluent reading and lets them allocate cognitive capacity to…

Reviews of multivocal literature are assessments of what can be learned from a given body of literature and assessments of the claims on which that knowledge is based. Methodological rigor is less likely to be a problem in such reviews than is lack of independent judgment. (SLD)

In 3 experiments, 1,598 Japanese college students were examined concerning the learning of facts in 2 content domains, baseball and music. Content knowledge facilitated fact learning only in the relevant domain; learning ability facilitated fact learning in both domains. Effects of content knowledge and learning ability were additive. (SLD)

Implemented Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) curriculum to help students learn about human immunodeficiency virus, discuss personal opinions, clarify values, and develop low risk behaviors. Divided 121 college students into experimental group receiving course and control group. Experimental subjects differed significantly from controls…

How the organization of knowledge influences scientific reasoning was studied as 132 college students completed a selection task with familiar or unfamiliar semantic content and interclause relationships expressing or not expressing entailment. Results support a constructivist view of reasoning emphasizing the importance of organization of…

Differences in the comprehension and interpretation of historical texts are discussed for eight high school students and eight historians. The sources of differences in the two groups and their epistemological stances are analyzed. Implications for reading comprehension and the place of history in the school curriculum are discussed. (SLD)

Measures of learning appropriate to museums are explored, including the following: (1) time on task; (2) knowledge gain; (3) thinking and problem solving; (4) motivation; and (5) creativity or intellectual provocation. Museums promote different kinds of learning, but all are interested in knowledge gain and thinking. (SLD)

An experiment involving 92 college students was conducted to assess the relative effectiveness of multiple-relationship knowledge maps and traditional text for presentation of related information domains and to investigate comparative versus sequential presentations. Conditions under which knowledge maps were superior are discussed, and…

Surveyed 154 Native Americans about their knowledge, attitudes, and risk behaviors related to AIDS, as a basis for developing a culturally relevant AIDS prevention intervention. Found a generally high level of knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention, although some misconceptions exist. Men have less accurate knowledge and more conservative…

Ways in which scientists and science students respond to anomalous data are analyzed. There are seven distinct ways in which they respond, only one of which is to accept the data and change theories. Factors that influence theory change and implications for science instruction are reviewed. (SLD)

Interviews with 36 preservice teachers at various levels revealed differences in how they recalled, interpreted, and made judgments about classroom events. Results highlight many differences and similarities in how teachers at different stages of preservice programs view the class environment. (Author/SM)

Reports a study of the effects of short-term fitness education on low-fit female college students' knowledge and attitudes. Group A received handouts and lectures. Group B received handouts only. Pre- and posttesting indicated lectures were more effective than handouts. Both groups demonstrated significantly higher knowledge about health and…

Forty deaf high school students defined words from the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and then ranked missed words in terms of expected difficulty level. After judging the accuracy of the rank-order judgments, it was determined that deaf students were unable to judge their feeling of knowing, but two hearing groups were able. (Author/JDD)

Examined family and peer characteristics in relation to Black adolescents' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding alcohol use. Findings from 1,177 Black students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 indicated that 7.2 percent were self-classified as heavy drinkers; 53.5 percent abstained from any alcohol use. Students tended to have same drinking…