Distressed at student disregard of clearly communicated rules and regulations, a Huntington Beach (California) high school principal realized the delivery system was not personalized enough. Having administrators visit each English class to explain reasons behind the rules improved the situation. Also, a new block schedule improved teacher-student…

Studied correlates of academic performance across mathematics, science, reading, and writing for 6,883 Canadian students in grade 6 in 148 schools (the New Brunswick School Climate Study). Results show that students were differentially successful in different subject areas, that schools were differentially successful in different subject areas,…

Discusses the consequences of tracking students, how one English teacher moved to heterogeneous grouping, and multiple intelligences and tracking. Asks why educators continue to track students when Howard Gardner has shown that there are at least seven distinct ways that humans come to know and learn. (RS)

Examined the personal, situational, and contextual correlates of coping in 315 adolescents. Found that adolescents who used more approach-coping responses were older, more active, and appraised stressful events as controllable and as challenges, whereas adolescents who used more avoidance coping were easily distressed, had more chronic stressors,…

Mothers of 6 cohorts of infants at ages 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 months were interviewed to determine their children's responses to potentially stressful daily events. Found older infants and temperamentally more difficult infants experienced more events and reacted with distress to a greater proportion of the events than did younger infants and…

Examined task factors, cognitive processes, and individual differences as determinants of performance in 188 adults locating a position on a topographical map. Both spatial visualization ability and a visual learning style were found to be effective predictors of performance. A form of verbal strategy training produced significantly improved…

The incidence and causes of cheating were studied through a questionnaire completed by 943 English college students. Reported cheating was widespread, more common among men and less able students, and more common in science and technology students. Student motivation appears to be a major factor in explaining the differences. (SLD)

A study of 100 psychology undergraduates and two lecturers found that implicit concept maps can be accurately reconstructed and compared with measures obtained from domain experts and that implicit learner maps can be used to identify individual differences in student knowledge. Discusses future research and potential applications in quantitative…

Introduces the "person approach" to the study of adolescence, and discusses the consequences of the approach for theoretical thinking and research methodology. Reviews major types of pattern-based methods used for carrying out a person approach and discusses methodological challenges for adolescent research, including interindividual…

Examines student teachers' beliefs about creativity, creative outcomes, and factors related to creativity. Concludes that creative outcomes were thought to be novel and not necessarily appropriate outcomes, creativity is more likely to be manifested through artistic and literary endeavors, and prior knowledge is not one of the main contributing…

Evaluated respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and heart period in 5-month-olds during interaction challenges. Found that during object-mediated challenge, RSA increases were uniquely related to positive engagement. During person-mediated challenge, subjects showed more complex integration of autonomic and behavioral responses such that only infants…

Presents information on the extent of alcohol use and other drug use among college students. Alcohol rates are very high among college students, with use higher among males than females. White students are highest in heavy drinking, black students are lowest and Hispanics are intermediate. Results indicate colleges should do more to reduce heavy…

Considers factors that help and hinder experienced instructors in transitioning to teaching online. Highlights include intrinsic personality characteristics as measured by the Myers Briggs and Gregorc Transactional Ability Inventory; job support; and training to acquire online teaching skills. (Author/LRW)

Presents the results of a meta-analysis of cross-time relations of academic/cognitive and social/behavioral readiness assessments from preschool to second grade that used 70 longitudinal studies. Discusses findings in terms of assessment and conceptualization of school readiness, the role of school and classroom experiences in individual…

The authors investigated the influence of several personality traits on exercise adherence and exercise self-efficacy for 168 undergraduate students. At all levels of exercise adherence, students with different personality traits had different amounts of exercise self-efficacy. Implications for college counselors working with students to improve…