Described are two longitudinal studies, one British, the other American, which examined the influences of varied socializing agents--e.g., family, school, peer groups--on voting behavior. The studies emphasized the hitherto unappreciated importance of the political, social, and economic climate of society and its changes on socialization. (CS)

Evaluates how Puerto Ricans in the United States are worse off relative to other groups, and whether their disadvantage remains after the controls of family background and ethnic status are added. Results suggest that, compared to Whites, Blacks, and Mexicans, Puerto Ricans have a unique educational disadvantage that contributes to their having…

Presents a longitudinal study of teacher talk that examines the use of affective particles in the language of the university-level elementary Japanese as a foreign language classroom. Results reveal that affective particles are used far less frequently in the classroom language analyzed than in ordinary conversation and that significant…

Examines sources of influence on inner-city students' initial middle school placements in English and mathematics and continuity and change in placements through the end of middle school. Discusses the various academic and socioeconomic influences and how they change throughout the middle school years. Includes data from a longitudinal study. (MJP)

Examined contemporaneous and predictive relations between parenting styles, adolescents' attributions, and educational outcomes. Found that adolescents who perceived their parents as nonauthoritative were more likely than peers to attribute achievement outcomes to external causes or low ability. The higher the proportion of dysfunctional…

Studies patterns of computer use based on data from the National Science Foundation's Longitudinal Study of American Youth in which 7th- and 10th-grade students were surveyed for five consecutive years. Highlights include parental backgrounds; socioeconomic status; parental attitudes; student attitudes; gender differences; computer ownership; and…

Describes a follow-up study that examined results of adopting the Teaching and Learning with Computers approach in a small rural school district. Use of the Jostens Learning Corporation integrated curriculum is explained, and evaluations of Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills results that show changes in scale scores and comparisons with national…

The cultural deficit model is challenged by findings of high African-American aspirations in a study of effects of race, social class, and gender on student and parent aspirations and expectations for the eighth grade cohort of the National Educational Longitudinal Study (1988) (survey of 22,651 parents). (SLD)

A 20-year follow-up study of 37 students enrolled in a University of Virginia alternative medical education curriculum found the program was successful in improving students' morale during preclinical instruction, preparing them for clerkships, and increasing sensitivity to patients. It was not effective in inducing students to enter primary care…

Eight articles are presented, which examine the following issues defining current research in education of the gifted: (1) identification of separate areas of giftedness; (2) stability and predictability of precocity; (3) fulfillment of potential; (4) socioemotional adjustment of gifted individuals; and (5) sex differences in giftedness. (SLD)

Longitudinal data in St. Paul (Minnesota) for 1,001 ninth graders and 962 of them as tenth graders show that part-time work experience and mastery orientation are reciprocally related for adolescents. Youth more internally oriented in grade 9 had less stressful jobs in grade 10. Extrinsic work conditions are sources of control orientation. (SLD)

Analyzes responses from 65 preservice teachers in 6 Norwegian colleges addressing the question of the teacher as a moral role model. Reports differences in understanding role-modeling implications, with half of the respondents believing teachers should serve as moral leaders. Finds that future teachers are governed by implicit theories reflecting…

The ASPIRA Association in the District of Columbia conducted a longitudinal multimethod study with 1,152 students based on school records, interviews, the High School and Beyond study, and 1-year followup to study dropouts among Hispanic-American students in 5 cities: Chicago, Miami, Newark, Milwaukee, and San Antonio. Findings represent an…

The General Accounting Office (GAO) investigated the effects of educational reform on approximately 61,000 disadvantaged urban students (focusing on Black and Hispanic-American students) in 4 districts. Excerpts from GAO findings and implications of the mixed results, with overall modest gains, are provided. (SLD)

Describes a longitudinal investigation designed to study emotional disorders over the course of adolescence in children of depressed parents (beginning in sixth grade). The "Development of Depression" project integrates family processes, cognitions, and life events to examine the mechanisms leading to depressive symptoms and disorders.…