To explore question-answering strategy differences between young "good" and older "poor" readers, 60 fifth and sixth grade good readers and 60 ninth and tenth grade poor readers responded to questions about passages read and reinspected. Strategies used were inferred through analysis of response errors. Implications for reading…

Examines the validity of the cultural bias contention with respect to English aptitude tests by looking at test scores of Jewish and Arab students applying for admission to a college in Israel. Results show evidence for differential construct or predictive validity of test scores as a function of cultural group membership. (31 references)…

A study at the King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (Saudi Arabia) revealed that the overall materials availability performance rose from 63.8% to 76% when library staff provided assistance. The major reasons for nonavailability of items were related to circulation policy, ownership, and user skills. (Author/AEF)

Describes a study that compared faculty use of computer networks in the fields of science and engineering and business, and examined the extent to which individual and professional factors affected use. Gender, age, frequency of use, types of use, and general feelings of expertise in using the networks are discussed. (LRW)

A study compared the effectiveness of two methods of second language instruction, video-based and text-based, during one academic year of college-level French instruction. Experimental and control groups each had 14 subjects. Results showed some difference in achievement in listening, and little in reading, speaking, writing, or grammar. (MSE)

Summarizes a survey of developments during 1993 through 94 in public and private school library media programs in the United States. Highlights include: expenditures for all types of nonbook resources compared to books, reading motivation programs, staff development programs, and the use of Internet and e-mail. Seventeen tables display survey…

This study examined gender and ethnic trends in Mexican American and Anglo preschoolers at home and school using physical, physiological, dietary, activity, and socioenvironmental assessments. Height and total skinfolds showed significant ethnic differences, confirming that preschool represents an age of rapid habit and behavior development…

The adjustment of individuals with mild disabilities one and three years after high school graduation was studied. The comparison of individuals with behavioral disorders (n=24), learning disabilities (n=374), and mental disabilities (n=75) assessed employment status, job status, and other variables, such as involvement in postsecondary education…

Examines gender and ethnic differences among Jewish and Arab high school students in Israel with respect to their causal attributions for success and failure in mathematics and language examinations. Results from 333 ninth graders show larger effects of ethnicity than of gender, with effects more pronounced in success than in failure attributions.…

This study examined academic performance, indebtedness, delayed graduation, and predictors of licensing exam performance of 140 Asian-American and 2,269 white graduates of the Jefferson Medical College (Pennsylvania). Results found that the Medical College Admission Test reading score was the major predictor of later performance for Asian-American…

A survey of 1,720 students in 71 university science laboratory classes in the United States, Canada, England, Australia, Israel, and Nigeria investigated student and teacher perceptions of dimensions of classroom environment (student cohesiveness, open-endedness, integration, rule clarity, material environment). Results and the utility of the…

Describes a study of a large urban public library system that compared levels and sources of stress and job satisfaction between public service and technical service employees. Relationships among work load, job content, and job satisfaction are examined, working relationships among employees are discussed, and the organizational climate is…

Proposes a framework to help course developers design criteria for optimal media deployment. The merits of radio, television, audio, video, and print are briefly compared with computer-based media and analyzed in light of six types of media characteristics: symbol system, access, controllability, student reactivity, interactivity, and adaptivity.…

The testing practices and tests described in the preceding articles are reviewed and compared. This cross-cultural examination identifies some issues that are common to the United States and Europe: (1) the emphasis on performance tasks, (2) the accommodation of language minorities, and (3) concerns about gender differences. (SLD)

Describes a project at Stanford University Library that was initiated to enhance user access to government documents collections by developing a prototype natural language computer-based aid. The development of an expert system, Government Documents Reference Aid (GDRA), is explained, and the application of expert systems in libraries is…