Argues that much of language acquisition is sequence learning and that the resultant long-term knowledge base of language sequences serves as the database for grammar acquisition. The article also proposes mechanisms to analyze sequence information that result in knowledge of underlying grammar. (184 references) (Author/CK)

Examined the nature and correlates of parents' expectations about adolescent sons' behavioral autonomy in a longitudinal study of 81 boys and their families, conducted when the boys were in 6th and 10th grade. Found that fathers' timetables for privileges at preadolescence predicted sons' midadolescent academic and social outcomes four years…

Vocabulary fixed-item (FIT), computerized-adaptive (CAT), and self-adapted (SAT) tests were compared with 121 college students. CAT was more precise and efficient than SAT, which was more precise and efficient than FIT. SAT also yielded higher ability estimates for individuals with lower verbal self-concepts. (SLD)

Tested the hypothesis that individual differences in reading ability increase over time, by assessing children, at seven occasions between kindergarten and third grade, on various measures of reading ability, reading behavior, and attitudes toward reading. Found that individual differences among children in word recognition, but not reading…

Deplores inconsistencies between the realities of today's technologically driven, information-age world and the static, constraining boxes in which state-initiated, accountability- focused reforms hold American education. We must reconceptualize schooling, curriculum content, time, grade levels, and achievement to allow more informal,…

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…

This study examined factors associated with the medical severity of suicide attempts focusing on demographic characteristics, and circumstances of the suicide attempt. Results show that young age was significantly associated with a nearly lethal suicide attempt. Prior attempts, hopelessness, depression, and help-seeking were significantly and…

These two studies extended research on the recently developed Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R; R.B. Slaney, M. Mobley, J. Trippi, J.S. Ashby, & D. Johnson, 1996). Cluster analyses were used to identify adaptive and maladaptive perfectionists and nonperfectionists. Differences between the clusters emerged on measures of self-esteem,…

Describes and discusses a wide range of responses by college students to innovative or alternative assessment techniques. Generally, students appeared to understand and adapt to new assessment requirements, but case studies indicate they do not respond in a fixed or simple way. Individuals are active in reconstruction of the messages and meanings…

This study on the marking of the past tense in students' essay writing examines why some students use some verbs accurately and not others. Reveals that while some students are consistently accurate, others are not, a tendency that comes from the influence of the first language. (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse for ESL Literacy Education) (Author/VWL)

Describes how children construct meaning from experience, a natural process often undermined in U.S. society. Even so, many teachers find ways to support growth in all areas of development, including the emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions. Teaching in a way that nurtures both head and heart can open up possibilities for more meaningful…

In this paper we address a perceived gap in the workplace learning literature, for there is very little writing which successfully integrates the issues of individual learners into predominantly social theories of learning. The paper draws upon data from four linked research projects to address this problem. Following an analysis of the…

Despite comprehensive school reform (CSR) model developers' best intentions to make school stakeholders adhere strictly to the implementation of model components, school stakeholders implementing CSR models inevitably make adaptations to the CSR model. Adaptations are made to CSR models because school stakeholders internalize CSR model practices…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of supplemental reading instruction on the reading performance of four (two boys, two girls) second graders who were English learners (ELs) and poor readers through the use of a multiple probe across-participants design. All students received instruction from a commercial reading program,…

This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine brain-behavior correlations in a group of 16 children (9- to 12-year-olds). Activation was measured during a semantic judgment task presented in either the visual or auditory modality that required the individual to determine whether a final word was related in meaning to one…