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)…

This paper discusses how families and schools can work together to better care for and foster learning in children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Four dimensions of the family-school relationship are addressed with 16 basic premises proposed. First, three premises offer a philosophical basis for family-school relationships and include adoption…

Issues associated with differentiation of learner needs and instruction in second language teaching are discussed. Differentiation is distinguished from mixed-ability teaching in that the former places emphasis on the requirements of individual learners, while the latter concerns pupil management for teaching purposes. An introductory section…

This study of Utah single welfare parents attempts to respond to several questions. What are the characteristics of this population, especially with respect to self-sufficiency? For instance, what percentage of the population requiring child care, has completed job training, etc.? What segments exist in the population? What are the clusters of…

This study investigated individual achievement change over time in mathematics for African American students, whether this differs from student to student, and whether individual growth parameters for this domain were related over time. The study also sought to gain a deeper understanding of individual change in student academic achievement…

Although American youth seem to be knowledgeable about civic matters and say they wish to participate in civic activities, a relatively low percentage of youth are engaged in their communities. This review examines various antecedents of positive citizenship among 12- to 18-year-olds, focusing on proximal and distal influences on organized forms…

This special issue of the Mensa Research Journal contains four papers written by K. Warner Schaie, a psychologist who focuses on psychological development from young adulthood through old age. The first paper is "Living with Gerontology." In it, Schaie recounts his own childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood, his path to becoming a…

The role individual psychological motives play in failure in learning was studied through a survey of students of English as a Second Language at a Saudi Arabian university. Students who scored about 80% and those who scored lower than 60% (the passing grade) on an English language examination were interviewed about their previous experiences and…