Two alternative methods for the measurement of perceived barriers to occupations, whether they be the idealistic or realistic aspirations of the youths, are presented. (NQ)

Reanalyzes 12th-grade data from the "High School and Beyond" study in order to resolve controversies regarding the original analysis, its methodology, and secondary studies it generated. Finds no evidence that private schools produce superior cognitive achievement, once their students' socioeconomic characteristics and extramural…

This examination used tenth- and twelfth-grade pupils from three high schools in Oklahoma. Data from the study suggested that the concepts which schools think they are teaching are not being learned. It is suggested the hypothesis be tested on a much wider sample of science content. (MP)

This study reports a national survey designed to identify the relative importance of the many factors that may be affecting women's participation in mathematics. Results confirm that numerous factors may affect women's and men's participation in mathematics and suggest areas for intervention to increase women's participation. (MP)

Compares the amount of foreign language teaching currently offered in grades 11, 12 and 13 in the schools of five West German states. Finds that French teaching is on the endangered list in many schools, and English also is threatened because of being offered in year-overlapping courses. (IFS/WGA)

Explains the use of the construct representation and inference functions of indicators used in construct measurements of self-concept. Illustrates validity and reliability issues with data from 2,114 12th-grade vocational-technical students. (SK)

To analyze smoking behavior among students, used cross-sectional data from a multiethnic cohort of 5th-, 8th-, and 12th-grade students (N=368) so as to examine the psychometric properties of two Transtheoretical Model of Change scales. Findings support the concurrent validity of the scales. (RJM)

Assesses the impact of a school-based sexual risk reduction program on adolescents' knowledge, need for information, problem-solving and communication skills, and intention to talk about and to practice safer sex. Results indicate significant treatment effects with knowledge, perception of skills, and frequency of communication. Other results are…

Presents the results of a study that focused on incidences of prescribed textbook usage in Namibian science classrooms. Indicates teacher dominated textbook use and restricted range of textbook references per lesson. States that the teachers used textbooks for diagrams and data and to verify factual information. (CMK)

Used data from the National Educational Longitudinal Survey to examine the impact of student religious commitment and living in intact families on academic achievement among black and Hispanic 12th graders. Students with intact families and high levels of religiosity scored as well as all white students on most achievement measures and higher than…

Describes the production of a local history magazine by two advanced twelfth-grade English classes. Discusses difficulties encountered during the project, and offers practical suggestions for teachers considering such a project. (SV)

Describes a teacher's efforts to introduce her students to modern poetry and to teach them that the value of poetry is not merely aesthetic but can actually be a voice of rare clarity. Asserts that what rubs off on students is a sense of richness of language--an ear and an eye for a rooted expression. (PRA)

Investigates Grade 12 students' understandings of the nature of chemical bonds and the energetics elicited across five familiar chemical reactions following a course of instruction. Discusses the many ways in which students can misconstruct concepts and principles. Contains 63 references. (DDR)

Reports on an intensive study of problem-solving activity of female students at the senior secondary level. Focuses on both the mathematical processing and the underlying cognitive and metacognitive activities that led to that processing. Concludes that all successful groups displayed a high number of key points where metacognitive decisions could…