Describes a study of seventh graders learning to make and share meaning about literature through "sketch-to-stretch," an interpretive strategy involving the creation of symbols and pictures and other nonlinguistic signs to signify ideas generated through reading. Supports teaching that provides such shared opportunities for students. (TB)

Direction sequences initiated by coworkers to eight individuals with mental retardation were compared to those initiated by school personnel to eight special education students with moderate mental retardation in community-based vocational training. Although most directions in either setting were direct/noncomplex, more indirect commands occurred…

Educators have long recognized the negative pedagogical effects of the strong centralization, curricular uniformity, and fragmentation that characterizes Israel's equity-driven education system. A recent experiment with site-based management at nine elementary schools may increase teacher and parental involvement, improve school climate, and…

Maximum likelihood and Bayesian procedures are presented for item selection and scoring of multidimensional adaptive tests. A demonstration with simulated response data illustrates that multidimensional adaptive testing can provide equal or higher reliabilities with fewer items than are required in one-dimensional adaptive testing. (SLD)

Evaluates the effect of variations in sex-typed behavior in hypothetical peers on children's ratings of friendship. Four reading experiments with a fictional male or female exhibiting certain sex-typed behaviors were used to examine friendship ratings among kindergarten and elementary students. Results show friendship judgments can be influenced…

Explores how students take what they understand through reading and talking about literature and express their ideas in art, drama, music, or math. Argues that one way learners push their understandings and create more complex meanings is through such transmediation. Offers examples of responding to literature through multiple sign systems. (SR)

Practical schooling realities defy grand designs for change, including imposing tougher standards. Standards will not work because U.S. schools are complex systems; educators do not understand, accept, or "enforce" state standards; teachers have too many kids and not enough time; student problems predominate; and publicly embarrassing educators is…

Examines the professional development opportunities that accompanied the New York State social studies draft framework to explore: (1) the range of opportunities teachers had to learn about the framework; (2) the content and instruction of these opportunities; and (3) teachers' responses to the framework and professional development opportunities.…

Examined development of concern and externalizing problems in children at three behavior problem levels. Found no group differences in concern at 4-5 years. Concern in children with clinical behavior problems decreased by 6-7 years. Greater concern at 4-5 or at 6-7 years predicted decreased stability and severity of externalizing problems by 6-7…

Two experiments assessed recognition of emotion among physically abused and neglected preschoolers. Results showed that neglected children had more difficulty discriminating emotional expressions that control or abused children. Abused children displayed response bias for angry facial expressions. Control children viewed discrete emotions as…

Explains the author's organized yet reflective approach to getting her fifth-grade students to read in literature circles. Discusses her slow and thorough process of building a community, and teaching students to respond to literature. Discusses resources for literature circles, and describes the first literature circle in her classroom (after…

Asserts that children can overcome fears and obstacles presented by abusive parents or violence in impoverished neighborhoods. States that while teachers cannot take away these painful struggles, they can ease negative life-experiences by creating a secure environment, increasing student self-esteem, and teaching empowerment skills to help…

Study investigates relationships among stressful circumstances, cognitive control, and distress among Korean immigrants in the U.S. It was hypothesized that cognitive control mediated the effect of exposure to stressful circumstances on distress. Results provide strong support for cognitive control in mediating the relationship between stressful…

Presents a population-based, case-control study of nearly lethal suicide attempts with 153 cases and 513 controls. Results indicate that moving in the past year is positively associated with a nearly lethal suicide attempt, as are specific characteristics of the move. Findings confirm and extend prior research by demonstrating a relationship…

The relationship of current and childhood attachment security to indices of current distress and coping resources were assessed with a sample of 250 college students. Participants reporting insecure childhood attachment but current attachment security were found to be similar on measures of current distress and resources for coping as those with…