The study examined basic counting competencies, difficulties, skill progressions, and variation among 36 moderately retarded and 64 mildly retarded students (ages 5-14). Quantitative and qualitative analyses indicated deficiencies in basic counting competencies and systematic oral- and object-counting errors. Striking individual differences in…

Illustrates dimensions of variation in how young children orchestrate or manage the writing process, using data collected from a five-month study of primary grade writers. Finds children's composing behaviors consistent with their apparent intentions and with their styles as symbolizers and socializers in their classroom. (SKC)

Examined questionnaire data pertaining to intended age of marriage and desired family size from Iranian 12th graders. Proximal factors (individual level variables such as self-concept and school success) were stronger predictors on both dependent measures than were distal factors (parental education, sibling size, and family modernity). Proximal…

Supports the position that although individual differences have often been ignored, children do differ in the stereotyping of their gender identities and attitudes (gender schemata). Stresses that children with traditionally stereotyped gender schemata process information about gender differently from children who have less stereotyped schemata.…

Summarizes the results of a project to make a class of learning disabled ninth graders aware of their individual learning styles. This seemed to increase their self-esteem and thus they worked according to their strengths and their grades improved. (NKA)

Offers survey-derived demographic, disability characteristic, living setting, and health and social service receipt and need information on 7,823 developmentally disabled persons age 53 and older. Additional information is presented by age groups and residential settings. Both similarities and dissimilarities were noted between elders in general…

This study investigated whether second, third, and fourth graders could recognize microcomputer-generated color graphics displayed on monochromatic monitors. It was found that subjects were unable to discern critical features of a color graphic displayed on a monochromatic screen unless it was designed to enhance figure/ground separation.…

A total of 400 subjects differing in age, sex, and SES were tested on strategic, relational, experimental, and postformal abilities. Results showed that Demetriou and Efklides' model of the development of formal thought could be integrated with theories claiming that thought is structured in different inquiring systems and develops postformally as…

Chicano and non-Hispanic White Children (n=171, age two and one-half years) from diverse backgrounds were tested using the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. Mothers were interviewed for family data. Ethnic group performance differences were explained (statistically) by a combination of effects associated with ethnic differences in…

Several individual attributes covering prereading and oral language abilities, motor skills, personality, and home background were assessed. The best predictors of reading achievement were tasks tapping phonological processing skills, interdigital dexterity, and familiarity with the alphabetic code of English script. Peer ability was a strong…

Compared non-users and users of alcohol and/or marijuana (N=1,020) in an inner city junior high school. Separate subcultures were strongly indicated with differences in attitudes, behavior, peer group, and significant adults. Almost any activity was seen as appropriate for a drug abuse prevention program. (JAC)

Mathematics achievement differences among sixth-graders were analyzed in a four-wave design and explained by aptitude and instructional variables in a structural equation framework. The results demonstrate the local nature of achievement models in that neither their measurement nor structural components proved generalizable across two groups of…

This report presents the preliminary development and field-testing of an observational system designed specifically to describe teacher-student dyadic interaction in second language instructional settings. (Author)

Findings are reported concerning the relationship between adoption of suicidal responses and antecedent negative self-attitudes. Junior high school student (N=3,148) responses to questionnaires administered three times at annual intervals. Indicated suicidal behaviors are responses (whether or not subsequently continued) to experiences of negative…

This digest discusses the need for differentiating language arts instruction for gifted students in grades K-8. It begins by describing differentiation approaches, including acceleration, depth, complexity, challenges, and creativity. It then explains how teachers can differentiate the language arts curriculum in the following five areas: (1)…