Discussion of the instructional development process from the subject matter experts' perspective explains how this process can be threatening and demotivating for them and how instructional developers can use interpersonal skills to overcome these problems. Topics covered include use of contracts, building a supportive climate, and active…

Sex differences were examined in a longitudinal sample of 193 parent-infant pairs. Sex differences were absent in measures of environment and parent-child interaction but present in parent prediction of children's later intellectual and linguistic skills. The same experiences appear to have different effects for boys and girls. (KH)

A study of Australian high school students' unemployment beliefs revealed significant differences between school leavers and persisters in only three areas. The former rated experience and qualifications more highly in gaining employment; the latter rated luck more highly. Implications for students leaving school with unrealistic expectations are…

Collected data concerning perceptions and expectations of services by rehabilitation counselors (N=7) and 12 of their severely disabled clients. Results showed differences between counselors and clients regarding (a) counselor's role in vocational aspects; (b) control over decision making for rehabilitation services; and (c) counselor perceptions…

Two experiments were conducted to isolate the trait-anxiety-reducing effects of transcendental meditation (TM) from expectation of relief and the concomitant ritual of sitting twice daily. The results strongly support the conclusion that the crucial therapeutic component of TM is not the TM exercise. (Author)

Rather than examining the relative effectiveness of various socially organized learning situations, this study addresses students' beliefs about the effectiveness of such learning environments for them as individuals, as well as their preferences, finding that while whites see little advantage to be gained by working peer group settings, blacks…

Investigates the possibility that some schizophrenic behavior results from conformity to a mental patient role. (Author/RK)

Ratings on the Disturbing Behavior Checklist made by special education teachers, regular education teachers, and teachers-in-training were compared for teacher training purposes. Results indicated that regular teachers found the behaviors more disturbing than either of the other two groups. (JC)

This paper explores how attitudes and expectations for students with disabilities are changing as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the impact of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Overall, there is strong support for increasing expectations for students with disabilities and helping them to improve their…

The task of a focused conversation and its facilitator is to release the genius, wisdom, and experience of the group on a topic and guide it towards a considered conclusion. Various purposes for holding a focused conversation on high schools and the recommendations of the Iowa Learns Council are: (1) Highlight the attention the community is…

Background: This study made use of the "Model of Academic Choice" by Meece et al. (1982). It is a general model of academic choice, expectation and value of attitude leading to achievement. The model links achievement with constructs of expectation of success on a task and the subjective value of the task influencing the attitude of…

Increasing evidence supports the idea that client expectancies have a large impact on counseling relationships, processes, and outcomes. Research and theories regarding expectancies are examined in this paper. Albert Bandura's theory of self-efficacy is discussed first to provide a background for understanding the significance of efficacy…

In 1995, the Council for Basic Education initiated the Standards for Excellence in Education (SEE) project, a multiyear effort to provide parents, educators, and the general public with better means to use standards to improve public education. This issue of "Perspective" tries to provide a coherent way to think about issues and…

Primary and high school students (277 in grades 5-6; 615 in grades 7-12) in the United States (47 percent boys) responded to 26 items of the Facilitating Conditions Questionnaire (FCQ). Results indicate 7 distinct FCQ factors: perceived value of schooling; affect toward schooling; peer positive academic climate (Peer Positive); encouragement from…

This paper is part of a larger study on student disaffection with high school. It examines changes in student's attitudes towards school over the past 25 years and relates them to educational expectations. It considers how important high school students think their education is for getting a good job and for later life; how well they like school…