Demonstrating that gender perceptions and expectations can influence assessment decisions that seem neutral on the surface, this book examines the responses of 31 freshman composition teachers to student writing. The book shows the negative effects of gender biases on assessment. For writing instructors to increase their sensitivity to gender…

A study explored the match between teachers' expectations for book reports and the outcomes their students exhibit. Subjects, 67 fourth graders, 61 seventh graders, and 56 tenth graders from low, middle, and upper income groups in 9 schools in 2 different school systems, completed a questionnaire that included questions concerning their…

Because previous research on long-term effects of Outward Bound programs has been contradictory, a study to analyze the impact of the Dartmouth College Outward Bound Center's Living/Learning Term program on undergraduate participants used a comprehensive battery of nine inventories to measure the effects of Outward Bound over time. The battery of…

A study examined cognitive and behavioral consequences of continuous success or failure in a competitive situation involving 40 undergraduate males. Three performance variables were selected for examination: expectancies for success, amount of self-motivated practice, and performance quality. Subjects were informed that they would be competing…

A study examined supervisor-subordinate relationships and the congruity of communicative expectations and experiences to determine how congruity was affected by time. Subjects, 117 employees comprising 106 subordinates and 11 first-line supervisors, were surveyed as to communication expectations and experiences with self and with other, as well as…

This paper describes the extent to which the Gender Expectations and Student Achievement (GESA) program has been disseminated at the national level, reports the findings of a validation study conducted in a California school district, and shares recommendations for further study and future plans. GESA was designed to reduce the disparity in the…

The goal of school staff members is to support the teaching and learning missions of students by establishing an environment that promotes these missions. Adults and authority figures can help stabilize the environment by providing sufficient structure to guide the exercise of student freedom. Because of varied definitions and personal…

Current research on teacher decision making reveals that ability is viewed as an important attribute in determining students' achievement and that teachers behave differently toward students of different ability levels. This study focuses on a secondary English teacher's decision making in a class she perceived to be of low ability and in one she…

Seven principles that can help to improve undergraduate education are identified. Based on research on college teaching and learning, good practice in undergraduate education: (1) encourages contacts between students and faculty; (2) develops reciprocity and cooperation among students; (3) uses active learning techniques; (4) gives prompt…

Expectations of 432 college students regarding the following six teaching formats were studied: lecture, discussion, laboratory, personalized attention, computer-assisted instruction, and television instruction. Factor analysis procedures revealed three factors for each format: (1) evaluative had characteristics of preference and goodness and/or…

Ways to eliminate sexism (discrimination based on sex) in Oregon State University classrooms are suggested, with attention to language, behavior, and expectations. Social outcomes of sexism are also identified. Unequal treatment singles out or ignores the individual. As a result, students may lose confidence, lower academic goals, or limit their…

This paper maintains that learning for the purpose of understanding is central to classes that are oriented towards learning. Such classes, which can be said to have a "learning orientation," can be differentiated from classes where an emphasis on performance or doing work increases the likelihood of rote or short-term learning. Four…

Living independently before marriage is part of a broader pattern of family and demographic change characterizing modern societies since World War II. This study examined expectations about premarital residential independence among young adults. Data were obtained from 28,240 high school seniors who participated in the High School and Beyond study…

There is an urgent need for the development of learning environments that are especially suited to disadvantaged minority youth. Much of that which needs altering is the climate or atmosphere within existing schools. Determining the nature of this learning environment is a continuing problem in educational research. This document reports a study…