Presents a seven-step strategy to help teachers improve feedback effectiveness and provide more individual attention in large classes. The strategy considers the learner, the skill being practiced, and environmental factors. The teacher must observe performance, analyze the action and/or outcome of the response, and communicate directly with the…

Illustrates how social interaction with high quality literature can foster the literacy process of responding to literature with the student's own voice. Demonstrates ways that particular instructional processes can foster critical literacy processes as students share their interpretations of quality literature. (MG)

This paper describes research activities of the Positive Teaching Project, focusing on the nature of classroom behavior problems viewed by teachers as particularly troublesome, teachers' typical responses to classroom behavior, classroom behavior management strategies based on manipulation of antecedents and natural consequences, and training…

Measurement properties of two response formats (bipolar and unipolar ratings) in personality assessment were compared using data from 135 college students taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Factorial validity and construct validity of the MBTI were supported. Reasons why the bipolar method is preferable are discussed. (SLD)

Presents a positive commentary on Stephen Silverman's research review on teaching in physical education (RT-PE). The article discusses the need for a clearer definition of teaching, reviews Silverman's RT-PE schema, examines another framework for conceptualizing research methods for teaching, and suggests the Spectrum of Teaching Styles for…

Analyzes the effect of grade level on stances students take when responding to literature. Finds that a two-way analysis of variance for grade and text on the variable of stance reveals no significant main effects for grade. (PRA)

A two-stage procedure for estimating item bias was examined with six indices of item bias and the Mantel-Haenszel statistic. Results suggest that the two-stage procedure is not very useful when the number of biased items is small and bias magnitude is weak. (SLD)

Effects of the following variables on performance of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) procedures for the partial credit model (PCM) were studied: (1) stopping rule for terminating CAT; (2) item pool size; and (3) distribution of item difficulties. Implications of findings for CAT systems based on the PCM are discussed. (SLD)

Current successes and failures in U.S. educational measurement are reviewed, focusing on criterion-referenced testing. Pluses and minuses are listed for the following: (1) the move toward authentic assessment; (2) the dominance of criterion-referenced assessment; and (3) item response theory applications. Each area is a double-edged sword. (SLD)

This paper examines general issues in the communicative skills and needs of elderly persons with mental retardation. It then compared 20 elderly and 20 young adults with mild to moderate mental retardation and found that elderly subjects were better able to respond to listener feedback and were more assertive in controlling the conversation. (JDD)

Suggests that research on teacher telecommunication networks such as LabNetwork must examine how a network contributes to the teaching practice and professional development of rural teachers and must be embedded in an understanding of the conditions of rural teaching. Discusses network potential to provide space for a professional "community…

Unsuccessful at easing teachers into heterogeneous grouping practices, an Indiana principal used a small grant allowing teachers to view thematic instruction, cooperative learning, and flexible-scheduling innovations at sister schools. For a modest cost (substitutes, lunch, and mileage), teachers made greater attitude changes in one year than…

Analysis of 126 medical school application forms included classification by application type, use of school-specific or supplemental forms, and additional biographical and behavioral information sought. Results suggest that schools eliciting more extensive responses seem to be gauging a student's potential for developing specific characteristics…

Demographic, attitudinal, and response-completion differences were investigated for initial and delayed respondents to a mail survey targeting 600 elementary and secondary school teachers. Overall response rate was 71.2 percent. Twenty-five nonrespondents were interviewed. Delay of response was associated with lower interest in the topic and lower…

The time required for 96 children (ages 8-15) with and without learning disabilities to interpret emotions based on from facial expressions, and the accuracy of those interpretations, were investigated. Children with learning disabilities were less accurate and spent more time identifying specific emotions. Both age and sex influenced response…