Analysis of data from a longitudinal study of Indiana high school students (n=56) reveals that parents are more interested than students in information about postsecondary education costs and student financial aid. It also suggests efforts to increase family knowledge should focus on general information rather than specific aid programs.…

This study analyzed the impact of child and family variables (such as child's functioning level, parent-child interaction, and parent and family adaptation) on the progress of 12 children (ages 2-4) with autism. Analyses showed a strong inverse relationship between mother-reported stress and child progress. (Author/JDD)

The study surveyed 48 teachers in British primary schools concerning the use of computer-assisted learning by children with special educational needs in mainstream settings. Findings are reported concerning computer/pupil ratio, computer time for these children, teachers' knowledge of software, classroom practices, effects of increased computer…

A study assessed the effectiveness of medical resident training programs during 1983-88 by evaluating students' certification scores and comparing them to the program's evaluation of students' clinical competence. Results are reported and analyzed for top-rated, university-affiliated, and non-university-affiliated programs, focusing on trends over…

A survey of 129 medical residents in an urban teaching hospital revealed a general lack of knowledge about computers, although most had used a microcomputer. Students were most likely to be able to use word processing (73%) and bibliographic retrieval (71%) programs. Better access to and training for computer use are recommended. (Author/MSE)

Describes the development, validation, and testing of the Mexican American Attitude and Knowledge Scale (MAAKS) which measures knowledge of and attitudes toward traditional, less acculturated Mexican American culture among university students. The MAAKS was established as a valid, reliable instrument for use with college students. (SM)

Analysis of a writing lesson delivered to 22 children in their first year of school shows that instruction in grammar occurs without the use of a metalanguage for the concepts under instruction. Teacher control of knowledge through contingent question and answer is analyzed. (SLD)

Two studies examined the relationship between a measure of metacognitive word knowledge, the KMA (knowledge monitoring ability), and performance in college. Using undergraduate grade point average in a number of academic domains as criterion measures, this research provides support for the validity of the KMA as a predictor of success in college.…

A study investigated the English vocabulary knowledge of 324 first-year students at an Indonesian university. Results indicate that on average, students had some knowledge of 1226 English words, far less than the 3000-5000 word range widely considered a threshold level for independent reading of unsimplified texts. Only a small portion of students…

This study investigated how well 273 teachers in Georgia understood the needs of hard-of-hearing children who were mainstreamed in their classrooms. The survey found deficiencies in teachers' level of awareness and knowledge regarding their students' hearing, loss across all grade levels. The study identified limitations in using the audiology…

Discusses why culture should be taught in the foreign language classroom. Focuses on survival and cultural proficiency, background knowledge, the elements of culture that should be taught and how, the goals of teaching culture, conventions and social amenities, connotation, integrating culture in the foreign language curriculum, and techniques and…

Examined the extent to which fifth- and seventh-grade girls participated in physical activity and why, and identified their knowledge about its benefits. Found that girls participated primarily for fun; parents who participated in regular physical activity were more likely to have daughters who also participated. Nonparticipating girls had much…

Examined current-events knowledge of high school students with and without access to daily television news in the classroom. Found that students with greater prior knowledge of current events had more interest in the news and sought external news sources. (Author/LBT)

Describes a study of the background knowledge of students in respiratory physiology courses. Finds that instructors tended to both overestimate and underestimate students' knowledge by large margins on individual questions. (Author/WRM)

Examined the inclusion of an asthma education space adventure game into fourth-grade classrooms. Pretesting and posttesting indicated that using the game significantly improved students' asthma knowledge in the intervention classroom over the observation period. Knowledge gained was retained over a 4-week period. The addition of physician-led…