The general emphasis of Project LONGSTEP (Longitudinal Study of Educational Practices) was on the identification of changes in student achievement that occur as a result of intensive educational innovation. The data collection instruments used in Project LONGSTEP provided information on student cognitive performance, student characteristics,…

Teacher-student interactions were observed in recently desegregated Detroit classrooms. Results indicated that Black students and males received a greater proportion of the classroom interactions than did White students or females, and that both male and female teachers acted similarly with respect to student sex. (Author/GDC)

Six measurement strategies are suggested for assessing different kinds or aspects of competencies: (1) teaching tests; (2) behavior samples; (3) teaching exercises; (4) classroom interaction simulations; (5) projected problem exercises; and (6) paper-and-pencil exercises. (MJB)

Interviews and classroom observations were used to evaluate the Solutions unit of the MATAL Elementary Science Curriculum Project. Both techniques were found to contribute insightful information about the reasoning strategies and learning difficulties of the students. (BW)

A pupil observational system for use in the secondary classroom is provided. Results of the instruments use with five classes are discussed. (CP)

This is a report on the work of the California Commission for Teacher Preparation on the Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study (BTES), to determine which skills and qualities are necessary for the beginning teacher to impart learning effectively in the classroom. (JD)

Patterns of behavior stably related to achievement across academic settings may be dissimilar among groups of children in the same setting with different levels of achievement. (Author/DEP)

Described is the Behavioral Coding System, a procedure for naturalistic observation of family interactions which is used in the clinical assessment of children with deviant behavior. (SBH)

Interdisciplinary collaboration with other professionals was the theme of a preservice training activity in England in which 18 students enrolled in a teacher training program for learning difficulties were paired with students of speech and language pathology to observe, discuss, and assess a severely disabled child in the school setting. (JW)

The relation between time spent in day care by preschool children and their social behavior was investigated at three child-care centers through observations of the children's free play. A positive relation was found in a large community center and in a small university center, but not in a small private center. (Author/BN)

The first article summarizes the findings of four studies which used unobtrusive testing techniques to evaluate library reference services. The validity of this testing method and the conclusions reached are discussed, and suggestions are made for improving reference services in five related articles. (CLB)

Two-year-old children's participation in family interaction was examined in two longitudinal observational studies of family conflict that focused on three developmental issues: children's understanding of the feelings and intentions of other family members, their understanding of social rules within the family, and the relation of emotional…

A model of child abuse/neglect is described, in which the perpetrator, victim, and observer all contribute to precipitating and sustaining the maltreatment. The three form a triangle which rotates with time and circumstance. There are also components of the perpetrator, victim, and observer within each individual, creating triangles within…