Three models of achievement motivation in the classroom are contrasted. Results with 155 high school students suggest that the model of C. S. Dweck and E. S. Elliott offers a better explanation of the relationships among achievement motivation, attributions, emotional reactions, expectancies, and performance than do the other models. (SLD)

This study of an adult with severe mental retardation and severe physical impairments found that the subject learned the cause-and-effect relationship between her voice commands and resultant action controlling environmental devices, differentiated various vocalizations for different environmental actions, and experienced positive affect when she…

Studies response style characteristics among 1,908 Hispanic Americans and 14,425 non-Hispanic whites in 4 studies. Hispanic Americans prefer extreme responses on rating scales more than do non-Hispanic Americans. Hispanic Americans are more likely to agree with a given item. Results are discussed in the contexts of acculturation and education.…

Effects of dimensionality on ability estimation of an adaptive test were examined using generated data in Bayesian computerized adaptive testing (CAT) simulations. Generally, increasing interdimensional difficulty association produced a slight decrease in test length and an increase in accuracy of ability estimation as assessed by root mean square…

Analysis of taped utterances of New Zealand sixth graders show how children perceive and respond to subtle cultural and gender biases in curriculum and teachers' presentation. Children construct their own knowledge as they attempt to make sense of classroom culture that may undermine their gender and racial identity. (SK)

Responds to earlier article by Mio and Iwamasa (1993) on white researchers investigating ethnic-minority populations and other cross-cultural issues. Organizes concerns raised by Mio and Iwamasa under two themes: ethical issues and professional turf. Concentrates on ethical issues having to do with nonmaleficence, beneficence, privacy, gratitude,…

Presents a method of teaching liturgical texts, related to the lectionary. Describes Bernard L. Lee's shared homily method based on Hans-Georg Gadamer's hermeneutical movements. Illustrates how Lee's homiletic method can be adapted into a disciplined conversation with the text for use in other religious instruction. (DB)

Explores the reactions of fourth and seventh grade students to two picture books about Columbus written from two different perspectives (white European explorer and Native American). Notes that the fourth graders saw Columbus as either all good or all bad after reading the books but that seventh graders were able to recognize the complexities of…

Presents the framework for a chemical engineering course using ordinary differential equations to solve problems with the underlying strategy of concisely discussing the theory behind each solution technique without extensions to formal proofs. Includes typical class illustrations, student responses to this strategy, and reaction of the…

Scaling methodologies used in analysis of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) surveys since 1984 are reviewed. The plausible values methodology developed for NAEP scale-score analyses is described in the contexts of item response theory and average response method scaling. Current NAEP research in scaling is discussed. (SLD)

This study investigated teachers' (n=115) perceptions and beliefs about their professional training with regard to assessment, diagnosis, and management issues associated with children with attention deficit/hyperactive disorder. Specialized remediation or other educational interventions commonly used were also examined. (IAH)

The exact and closed-interval area measures for detecting differential item functioning are compared for actual data from 1,000 African-American and 1,000 white college students taking a vocabulary test with items intentionally constructed to favor 1 set of examinees. No real differences in detection of biased items were found. (SLD)

Describes a study of urban television viewers in India that examined television as an educational medium for promoting health and nutrition information. Data are reported on audience characteristics, viewing patterns and times, special audience programs, health and nutrition programs, format preferences, and audience reaction. (EAM)

Describes an assistant professor's experience teaching two eighth-grade classes: a self-contained group of students with learning and emotional disabilities and an English/social studies class that mainstreamed disabled students and used a team-teaching approach. Advocates "pull-ins," or putting children into special programs and…

This study evaluated the relationship of race/ethnicity (Latina, African American, or white) to severity of symptoms in sexually abused girls. A racially mixed sample of 134 girls was evaluated in depression, anxiety, and self-worth. Race/ethnicity alone did not predict outcome, but the interaction of race/ethnicity with the type of abuse was…