A study investigated whether the reading difficulties of 60 Dutch children with low vision were a matter of reduced visual input or a consequence of a lack of orthographic knowledge. Results indicated that reduced visual input was the only cause of the children's lower reading performance. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Focuses on the importance of posture in music-making. Provides information on the importance of posture and the different types of posture stances to help students work toward better posture. Includes information on using kinesthetic experiences to help students improve their posture. (CMK)

Compared parental knowledge of structural and procedural characteristics of their daycare facilities with data provided by center directors. Found that parents answered only 45% of questions correctly and reported a lack of knowledge regarding both general center characteristics and specific group characteristics. Found that parental knowledge…

Examines how young children in preschools use the criterion of movement to determine whether an object, in this case plants, is living or non-living. Reports that children presented a conceptual change classifying the plant as alive using explanations including dependence on environment and other functions. Includes references. (CMK)

The validity of the Scholastic Aptitude Test reading comprehension section is examined in light of recent research finding that students who had not read the related passages were able to answer comprehension questions on a better than chance basis. The roles of prior knowledge and general verbal skills in reading comprehension are emphasized. (DB)

A methodology for calculating the return on training investment is described. The method covers attitudes, knowledge, and behavior of participants as well as effectiveness in organizational improvement. Output, time savings, quality improvements, and "soft data" on effectiveness are set against costs. (TJH)

Presents the results of a study of student perspectives on the state of the art of undergraduate courses in French culture taught in American colleges and universities. Results from 28 questions are reviewed. The questions deal with the student's profiles, knowledge of facts, and their opinions about France and French. (28 references) (GLR)

Attaining the insight needed to solve the Mutilated Checkerboard problem, which requires discovery of an effective problem representation (EPR), is described. Performance on insight problems can be predicted from the availability of generators and constraints in the search for an EPR. Data for 23 undergraduates were analyzed. (TJH)

Examines the relationship between parents' knowledge of and satisfaction with their children and the children's sociometric status. Results suggest important links between parents' knowledge and role satisfaction and social competence in children's peer relations. (Author/BB)

Fourteen teenage or young adult males disabled in print acquisition were studied to determine their patterns of verbal and spatial processing. It was found that, at retest a mean of 5.4 years later, the Similarities score significantly increased while the Vocabulary scores and Acquired Knowledge category actually decreased. (Author/DB)

The article describes the development of a Knowledge Battery to assess the competency level of secondary special education students receiving instruction in the Life-Centered Career Education Curriculum. The Battery consists of 89 subcompetency tests with items selected, validity, reliability, cutting scores determined, and standardization…

Directors of police academies in all 50 states were contacted regarding training policies for new officers. Of 48 states responding, 36 reported they require instruction on persons with disabilities. Analysis of training content revealed that most academies provide training about mental illness, but few include training about learning…

Presents a diagnostic test for measuring college biology students' understanding of diffusion. Three general steps were used: (1) defining the content boundaries; (2) collecting information on students' misconceptions; and (3) instrument development. The split half reliability was 0.74, difficulty indices ranged from 0.23 to 0.95, and the…

A training study involving 146 elementary school teachers found that training that corresponded with teachers' beliefs was more likely to enhance learning. However, providing the trainer with diagnostic information was not an effective strategy for achieving greater congruence between teachers' beliefs and instruction. (SLD)

A survey of 487 speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and educators providing services to children with hearing loss described their demographic characteristics and perceived adequacy of preprofessional training. Pathologists felt prepared in the fundamentals of speech and language but less prepared in audiology, deafness, and clinical…