Asserts that role-playing peer-response groups provide effective feedback and help students develop a sense of the characteristics of a particular audience. Illustrates with a sample lesson (a college application essay) by outlining five steps of the process. Offers other uses of the role-playing peer-response groups method. (PRA)

Pupils (N=1,755) in 232 elementary school classes in Tennessee participated in a 3-year longitudinal study of the effects of reduced class size on reading and mathematics performance. The small-class setting increased performance significantly in both mathematics and reading, and it had an especially strong impact in inner-city schools.…

This study examined the application of the marginal maximum likelihood-EM algorithm to the parameter estimation problems of the normal ogive and logistic polytomous response models for Likert-type items. A rating scale model, based on F. Samejima's (1969) graded response model, was developed. (TJH)

Responds to previous article by Sexton and Whiston (1994) on counseling relationship. Commends Sexton and Whiston's research review, but contends that, by adding interpersonal interaction as though it were a fourth and parallel component of counseling relationship (along with real, unreal, and working alliance components), Sexton and Whiston have…

Compares traditional instruction in poetry with collaborative learning in poetry with grade-three students. Finds that the collaborative learning strategy led students to more mature responses to poetry than the teacher-directed strategy. (RS)

Examined preservice teachers' ability to use component-specific feedback to positively influence elementary students' performance on overhead throw. Researchers developed an instrument to record teachers' verbal behaviors concurrent with student performance. Analysis of videotapes indicated teachers had content knowledge but limited ability to…

Describes the findings of the National Assessment of Educational Progress's "Reading Report Card" issued in September 1993. Critiques the report for methodological reasons. Argues that the report is virtually worthless regarding the reading skills of American students and should receive a failing mark. (HB)

Reviews five books: "Garbage Pizza, Patchwork Quilts and Math Magic" (Ohanian), about elementary math instruction; "Ready for What?" (Graue), on school readiness; "The Braid of Literature: Children's Worlds of Reading" (Wolf and Heath); "The Best Years of Their Lives" (Zvirin), a book of resources for teenagers; and "Teaching and Learning in the…

Item response theory and the graded response model were used to examine measurement qualities of the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, with data from 2,348 veterans (participants in the National Vietnam Veteran's Adjustment Study). Implications for improved assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder are…

Reports on ways in which an undergraduate English course can be structured to invite wide-ranging forms of response. Describes how this was done through an expository reading and writing course based on rhetorical modes and noncanonical texts. Claims that student satisfaction and achievement were excellent. (HB)

Traditional Western dualistic attitudes toward "masculine" and "feminine" traits can lead female teachers to adopt nurturant teaching that makes it difficult to challenge and extend students. In developing humanistic learning environments, teachers must recognize the potential problems in attempting to empower students and…

Patients with bulimia nervosa were treated with either cognitive behavioral, behavioral, or a form of interpersonal psychotherapy for 19 sessions in an 18-week period. Assessments were made at pretreatment; posttreatment; and 4-, 8-, and 12-month follow-up. The nature of the relationship between attitudinal disturbance and outcome was complex and…

Discusses how the active meaning-making process of 10 sixth-grade students was reflected in the written responses in literature journals. Analyzes the responses to determine response styles. Suggests how complex response to literature is for elementary and middle school students. (HB)

An analysis of the responses of 1,614 adult subjects from 10 cultures show that the Leung-Bond procedure provides ways of extracting both strong and weak etics relevant to individualism and weak etics relevant to collectivism. The most complete picture is obtained when both etics and emics are examined. (SLD)

This study examined the effects of different types of computer-assisted feedback strategies (knowledge of correct response, knowledge of response, and elaborative) and different types of information (facts, concepts, and principles) on student achievement and response confidence. Findings indicated a positive correlation between achievement and…