Analyzes childrens' (ages 10-12) narratives to show how the stories contribute to children's ongoing construction of knowledge and identity. Argues that children's use of reported speech drives the referential and evaluative functions of their stories and that their reproduction and framing of others' and their own voices enables them to reflect…

Results of studies involving 478 junior high school students in two years using cognitive diagnoses done through computerized adaptive testing indicate that knowing students' knowledge states before remediation is effective, and that the rule-space method can diagnose these knowledge states effectively. (SLD)

Describes a study providing evidence of how students' talk and writing about the nature of science differs depending on the particular scientific topic under discussion. Describes the relationship between theory and evidence, warrants for belief, and nature of observation. (Contains 25 references.) (Author/YDS)

Knowledge about Down syndrome and attitudes toward the inclusion of children with Down syndrome were examined in 2,053 community members and 538 experienced teachers. Both groups displayed reasonably accurate knowledge. However, they significantly underestimated life expectancy. Around 20% of each group believed the regular classroom was the best…

A study examined the degree to which parents are informed about syndrome-based behaviors in children with Down syndrome (n=21), Prader-Willi syndrome (n=25), and Williams syndrome (n=21). Parents were informed about blatant behavioral features, especially maladaptive behaviors, but were less informed about certain subtle syndrome-based cognitive…

This study examined the perception and level of knowledge of special education law among beginning school administrators (n=120). Most respondents did not believe they had sufficient knowledge of special education law and expressed a need for additional preparation in special education law. Results support an increase in academic training in…

Offers an overview of the results from the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) United States Civic Education Study (CivEd). Focused on topics such as: civic achievement, different contexts of civic knowledge, student understanding of democracy, citizenship and government, student attitudes related to civic…

The study examined perceptions, knowledge, and opinions regarding medication of 146 teachers of students with serious emotional disturbances. Among findings were that global impressions were most often used to evaluate drug effects and that hyperactivity and delusions/hallucinations were most likely to lead to medication. (DB)

The article identifies areas of critical knowledge (i.e., conceptual, content, practical, and metacognitive) and skill competencies (diagnostic, teaching and managing atypical learners, setting academic and behavior standards, and motivating students) needed by general educators to effectively address individual differences. (Author/DB)

Thirty-nine adult computer novices in Denmark were interviewed and observed to determine the nature of their global understanding of information technology. Three assessment types, three coping strategies, and four categorical frameworks for understanding were identified. A new methodology for testing the validity of qualitative analyses is…

A new test of young children's computer aptitude and knowledge about computer technologies was given to kindergarten children and third-grade students. Results are reported. Implications of the research for basic and applied developmental psychology are discussed. (RH)

This study examined how experienced teachers use their complex knowledge structure to find and solve problems in the classroom. Of 30 teachers and teacher trainees, the experienced teachers imposed an experiential structure on lesson content, spent less time planning, and focused on general concerns rather than specific problems. (PB)

Discusses ways to document student learning and achievement. Considers the differences in core curriculum, general education, and retained knowledge; the risks of pretests; and testing cognitive and affective domains. Describes Ohio Valley College's assessment plan, focusing on college aims, learning objectives, and the use of results. (DMM)

Standardized patient case problems were administered to approximately 280 final year medical students. Results indicate that performance on a given component of clinical competence shows less consistency when measured on different cases than does performance on different components measured on the same case. (TJH)

The literature on testing has documented the existence of persistent anomalies in test scores of bilingual students. School psychology, which is test-dependent and test-defined, has an inadequate technology and knowledge base to deal with the testing of bilingual students, leading to error and misdiagnosis exacerbated by lack of viable testing…