Student attitudes toward foreign language instruction are examined by means of an overview of 12 surveys conducted at high schools and colleges across the U.S. Findings indicate that students who are unsatisfied with their progress in learning a foreign language may have set unrealistic goals for themselves at the outset. Often they feel they are…

Noting that seven-eights of the world's population does not speak English, the author cites reasons for requiring that students study languages and literature. He observes that if American students are to serve in the world effectively, they must be prepared for such service. Particularly emphasized in the author's reasoning is the notion that…

This study was designed to determine what types of evaluation practices are being carried out in schools involved in flexible scheduling and independent study. A questionnaire, designed to determine if a flexibly scheduled school had included the independent study phase of instruction and if an evaluation program for this phase exists, was sent to…

Practical advice is offered to the prospective practice teacher in this article. Comments focus on public relations, instructional materials, teaching methods, dress standards, student evaluation, and student-teacher relationships. (RL)

This songbook contains some 77 songs, with words and music, reflecting the daily life and culture of the people of Czechoslovakia. The text is designed for use, as supplementary material, in the Defense Language Institute's "Czech: Basic Course." (RL)

A method providing objective analysis of teacher and student interaction is described in this article. Feedback derived from a matrix of the teacher's classroom behavior (prepared by a professional observer) provides objective information in 10 separate categories. The categories, characteristic of any teacher's classroom behavior and teaching…

The relationships between two measures of self-esteem and each of two measures of general anxiety and test anxiety were examined. There were statistically negative correlations between the measure of self-esteem and each of the measures of general anxiety and test anxiety when scores were analyzed by total group, grade level, and sex. (Author/BJG)

Investigated whether there was a difference in achievement between ninth and tenth grade students upon completion of a year of biology. A comparison of mean scores on the final examination showed there was no significant difference between grade levels. (MLH)

Surveyed college students (N=688) from two universities to examine variables related to drinking, i.e., peer pressure, social ease, and desire to refrain from drinking. Results show class standing and gender to be variables affecting resistance to pressure to drink (RPD). Presents preventive strategies for university administrators. (BH)

Manipulated three types of examiners and four types of data in order to study the examiner effect on self-reports of drug use by students (N=152). Analyses revealed that type of examiner, sex, and year in school had a significant three way interaction affecting self-reports of drug use. (Author/BH)

Discusses history of the development of computer software to determine material readability and general design of readability software. Tables present summaries of: (1) parameters used by selected readability scales and their grade level applications; and (2) microcomputer software programs available, including readability techniques included in…

Develops a model for estimating the comparative costs of a middle school structure and an intermediate school structure. Considers the extensive cost data collected in the Montgomery County (Maryland) school system. (JW)

Presents a study of the relationship between syntactic complexity and grade level and of the relations of mode and syntax to an English as a foreign language writing sample. Examines the influence of the syntax in each mode of writing on the content of the compositions. (SED)

This document, "Grade Expectations for Vermont's Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities" (hereafter "Vermont's Grade Expectations"), is an important companion to "Vermont's Framework." These Grade Expectations (GEs) serve the same purposes as "Vermont's Framework," but articulate learning…

The purpose of this ex post facto study was to explore the interactive relationship among grade level of transition to high school, gender, and grade level of dropping out of high school as factors associated with high school dropout rates. Fifteen schools at each of the most common high school grade spans were studied, for a total of 45 schools.…