Students in grade 11 and grade 12 with below-average self-esteem (N=56) were classified by gender and randomly assigned to either computer-based cognitive restructuring or a relaxation-training control condition. The computer intervention targeted irrational beliefs linked to low self-esteem. Results indicate that the computer-based technique…

Responds to and disagrees with Kaltsounis's critique of the author's report "American History Textbooks: An Assessment of Quality." Answers each of Kaltsounis's criticisms, and reiterates several main points from Sewall's report, including recommendations for U.S. history textbook reform. (LS)

The intended, implemented, and actually achieved chemistry curricula were studied in 26 Israeli high schools (514 students) through review of the planned curriculum, questionnaires, and test results. In spite of the intended and implemented curricula's goals, actual achievement is low, particularly in the area of application of principles. (SLD)

Examined differences in moral judgments as they relate to informational assumptions. Sixth graders, high school seniors, and college students evaluated events concerning welfare, justice, and rights and reevaluated them in light of the opposite information. The relation between evaluations and informational assumptions was significant within each…

The dicto-comp is a type of controlled writing combining text dictation and text reconstruction. The rationale and methods for using it in a Hong Kong high school class are described. (two references) (LB)

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) was originally used to report academic improvement or decline in the performance of 9-, 13-, and 17-year olds across major geographic regions. State-by-state comparison was carefully avoided. In 1988, however, Congress authorized the NAEP to conduct voluntary Trial State Assessments. (CJS)

Suggests that the National Assessment of Educational Progress's (NAEP) Trial State Assessment (TSA) will provide reliable and valid state-by-state comparisons of what students have learned and will assess their progress over time. The TSA will also provide information on home learning environments, instructional practices, educational resources,…

Suggests that the proposed state-by-state National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) will be unable to provide information about which state programs are responsible for differences in test scores. Raises concerns about its cost effectiveness and potential loss of validity if used in state comparisons. (CJS)

Explored possible link between development of moral reasoning/behavior and metacognition. Examined awareness of moral processes involved in moral reasoning and behavior in 139 adolescents in grades 7, 9, and 12. Found number of significant moral metacognition-reasoning-behavior correlations. Findings support notion that specific types of metamoral…

The views of rural Canadian students on the role of technology in their own lives were examined using a sociotechnology and a human ecology model. Students identified several different roles for technology, believed in more equal gender roles in its use, and preferred direct instruction over distance learning. (Author/JOW)

In 1996, about 750 randomly selected 4th graders, a similar number of 8th graders, and nearly 1,000 12th graders from 19 Chicago-area schools took the Third International Mathematics and Science Survey test as a separate country. Results were impressive and reinforced the good reputation of First in the World Consortium schools, located mostly in…

Explains a model to analyze direct teaching cost per student at the class level in the final two years of secondary schooling in Victoria, Australia. The model provides predictions for class size and unit cost for each learning area for various enrollment levels. Cost predictions for foreign-language classes were twice that of English classes.…

Uses the concept of cross-pressures to predict frequency of adolescent alcohol, cigarette, and drug use. Eighth-, 10th-, and 12-grade respondents reported frequency of alcohol, cigarette, and drug use for 30 days prior to the survey. They also reported perceptions of friends' approval/disapproval of substance use, peer pressure to use, and their…

Assesses the potential of multimedia authoring as a learning tool using the software ASTOUND. Investigates the knowledge acquisition caused by a multimedia program among 32 grade 12 students on a multi-disciplinary environmental unit about earthquakes. Provides basic background about earthquakes via laboratory experiments and field trips to…

Analyzes a small group of 12th-grade students who interpreted the character of Gertrude in "Hamlet" through a "body biography," a life-sized human outline filled with student-generated words and images. Concludes with a reconsideration of the notion of engagement that includes attention to both the immediate social relations…