Examined the relationship between self-esteem and sexual behavior and intended sexual behavior among Hispanic middle school students. Student surveys indicated that higher home self-esteem significantly related to reduced likelihood of participation in sexual intercourse (ever) and reduced intent to participate. Higher school self-esteem related…

Administered an intelligence test to blacks and whites in 2 studies involving 254 community college students and 2 more studies involving 115 community college students. Results show that differences in knowledge between blacks and whites for items on an intelligence test, the meanings of words, can be eliminated when equal opportunities for…

Describes a support program, the DATA project of Queen's University in Belfast, which was devised to develop student teachers' abilities to teach astronomy with emphasis on the promotion of student teachers' pedagogical content knowledge. (Author/KHR)

Summarizes the report of Lynne Cheney, chairperson of the National Endowment of the Arts, titled, "Tyrannical Machines: A Report on Educational Practices Gone Wrong and Our Best Hope for Setting Them Right." Noted are gaps in general knowledge, weaknesses of teacher education courses, and university tendencies to value research over teaching. (DB)

A comparative analysis of some science concepts held by preservice primary teachers in Britain and Spain indicates that many students lack understanding of and ability to apply these concepts. Results are analyzed in terms of national curricula and previous science background. Implications for teacher education are discussed. (IAH)

The validity of a dynamic assessment interview approach to the measurement of metacomponential (executive level) cognitive processing in 48 children aged 8 to 9 years was studied. The interview instrument apparently measured both content knowledge and metacomponential processing. Implications for study of young children's cognition are discussed.…

The relationship of knowledge, attitudes, and prevalence of steroid use among college athletes and nonathletes was investigated. Results indicated that the more individuals knew about steroids, the more favorable was their attitude toward use. Powerlifters and bodybuilders were found most likely to use steroids. (JD)

Explains the "value-added" approach to measuring educational quality and institutional effectiveness in higher education. Presents a case study of Piedmont Virginia Community College's (PVCC's) efforts to measure the value which is added to transfer students by their PVCC experience, and discusses the implications of the PVCC study for…

A model is presented for the growth of knowledge reflected by 24 progress tests completed by approximately 600 students at the University of Limburg (Netherlands) Medical School. Based on the Rasch model, this model treats both the person's ability and the difficulty of the question as random variables. (SLD)

A survey administered to student loan recipients at their exit interview provided information about their characteristics (college of graduation, gender, race, grade point average, and age), post-graduation plans, anticipated annual income, estimated time for loan repayment, total debt, and monthly payment. (MSE)

A study examined the differences in knowledge and attitudes about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) among registered nurses, baccalaureate nursing students, liberal arts students, and non-nurse adults. It also investigated the effects of increasing knowledge on attitudes. (MSE)

Compares differences between adolescent and older mothers on tests of infant motor, cognitive, social and language development; and first- and second-year abilities. Older mothers were better at predicting emergence of infant behaviors and first-year behaviors. There was no difference between groups in predicting second-year behaviors. (Author/BB)

Argues for a new approach to empirical work which focuses on classroom thoughtfulness. Proposes a conception of higher-order thinking that synthesizes theoretical literature with the views of practitioners. Offers a conceptual basis for empirical study of classrooms, teachers, students, and institutional leaders. (GG)

Reviews research on children's knowledge of politics. Covers research on authority figures, national symbols, national identity and geographic location, international politics, and peace and war. Three theoretical frameworks for understanding children's political thinking are discussed. Lists 39 references. (RJC)

The article outlines a six-category knowledge framework for effective teachers, involving general liberal education, personal performance, subject matter, general pedagogical knowledge, subject-matter-specific pedagogical knowledge, and foundations of the teaching profession, and suggests how preservice education can incorporate some of the…