This paper evaluates the current information base on sexuality of people with intellectual disabilities, specifically in the areas of sexual knowledge, sexual experience, sexual feelings and attitudes, and sexual need. Consideration of this information is critical in developing appropriate sex education programs that can enhance the quality of…

Uses data from the Longitudinal Survey of American Youth to examine the effects of secondary teachers' mathematics and science subject matter preparation on pupil performance gains. Teacher knowledge level positively affects students' learning gains. Effects of subject matter preparation diminish with time and vary across different types of…

Finds that socioeconomic status was significantly linked to public affairs knowledge, both directly and through perceived utility indicators and news media use. (SR)

Thirty-six test-wise and 41 test-naive high school seniors completed a 14-item test designed to assess their abilities to apply selected test-wiseness principles. Results indicate that, before students can profitably apply test-wise skills, they must first possess knowledge about the content of the stem or options. (Author/KS)

A study that has uncovered robust memories among former students for material learned in a college course after as long as 11 years is discussed. This is in contrast to the widespread conviction that the passing of years wipes away most recollections of concepts and facts learned in school. (KR)

The role of a subject's conceptual knowledge in the procedural task of searching a text for information was studied for 51 college undergraduates in 2 experiments involving knowledge of anatomy. Students with more anatomical information were able to search a text more quickly. Educational implications are discussed. (SLD)

This study examined the vocational interests and work motivation of 152 trainees attending vocational rehabilitation centers for the mentally retarded in Israel. Consistent patterns of vocational knowledge, vocational interests, and motivational variables emerged. Vocational knowledge was associated with vocational interests rather than with level…

Two levels of representation in text comprehension were postulated: a propositional representation and a mental (or situation) model of the content of the text. Experimental results suggest that performance differences attributable to domain-specific knowledge reflect differences in the construction of the mental model. (26 references) (Author/LB)

Semistructured interviews with 15 masters-level biology students revealed that most proposed deterministic explanations of evolutionary processes, ignored the role of chance, seemed unaware of debates over deterministic versus probabilistic models of evolution, and confused evolutionary theory (a model) with the actual complex processes it…

The nine essays of this anthology attempt to apply some ideas of the French philosopher/historian Michel Foucault (1926-84) to past and present school practice. However, to follow Foucault's lead is to risk embracing a state of perpetual uncertainty about the fabrication of knowledge and power. (SLD)

The challenge of education is to preserve the imagination, questioning, and theoretical stance of a five year old, but gradually replace unfounded prejudices and mind-engravings with more accurate theories, ideas, conceptions, and stories. Correct test answers seldom signify genuine understanding. Gardner's book "The Unschooled Mind"…

An educational hearing conservation program was designed and presented to 45 normal-hearing third and fourth grade children enrolled in regular education programs. Pre- and posttest data indicated an increase in knowledge of hearing protection techniques, including the use of distributed ear plugs for use during noisy activities. (Author/PB)

Assessed knowledge, attitudes, and behavior related to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) among 55 youth in residential centers. Found respondents relatively knowledgeable about AIDS and how to prevent it. Substantial proportion did not hold positive attitudes toward prevention and engaged in unsafe behavior. Short intervention that…

Knowledge of the United States Constitution was investigated for 111 randomly selected college students. Many students had little or no knowledge/understanding of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. No significant differences were found between those who had read the Constitution and those who had never read it. (SLD)

How to measure growth in knowledge and ability over time in curriculum research is explored. Two broad classes of probabilistic models are considered, the Rasch model and latent class models with their associated generalizations. Potential of both classes for measuring categorical change is discussed. (SLD)