Investigated were differences in learning styles, as measured by the Learning Style Inventory, in fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students achieving at high, low, and average levels. Results indicated students do not learn in the same manner and manifest significant variations in how they prefer to learn. (RH)

This bulletin provides general information about the achievement testing program and specific information about the design, the composition, and the scoring of the Grade 6 Science Achievement Test in Alberta. Contents included are: (1) "General Information," describing the purpose, nature, and administration of the program; (2)…

Using data on mean achievement of third and sixth graders in individual California schools, coupled with salary data for those students' teachers, this study tested whether teacher salary variables are associated with student achievement, when socioeconomic characteristics are controlled. Differences among schools in the amount of teachers' pay…

This bulletin provides a general description of Alberta's Grade 6 Science Achievement Test which was taken in June 1986. Discussed in this document are: (1) the purpose of the testing program; (2) the nature of the program; (3) students tested (addressing concerns related to exceptions and instruction); (4) administrative regulations; (5)…

Reports on a study of 22 sixth-grade students' ability to use a Landsat digital data computer program to gather information. Describes student characteristics and discusses the sequential steps of the research study. Concludes that, with user-friendly software, sixth-grade students can identify and use satellite digital data. (CFR)

The performance-based assessment was developed to assess students' higher order thinking skills in real-life problem-solving situations in Alberta, Canada. These tasks assess aspects of science that cannot be measured easily by regular paper and pencil tests. The purpose of this document is to provide teachers, administrators, students, and…

Reports on a study of the effects of an aural-oral pitch matching training program on aural pitch discrimination among 96 sixth-grade string students. Finds that the students who used the TAP Pitch Master Machine made statistically significant gains in pitch discrimination. (CFR)

Describes research concerning achievement differences between sixth grade boys and girls in individualistic and cooperative-learning situations. Reports that cooperative learning produced greater retention and higher level learning. Found no differences in achievement, verbal participation, perceived leadership, and status between the sexes at the…

Presents research findings regarding motivation's role in music education. Explains that students in grades five through eight provided reactions to a fictitious band student's experience with failure. Reports that many respondents believed that the student would perform better, try harder, and receive the teacher's and fellow students' support in…

Predicated on the belief that current methods for assessing literacy give policymakers too narrow a view of performance and should be augmented by the informed professional judgment of classroom teachers, this report appraises how well schools in the United States are meeting the goal of a literate populace. The report seeks to improve…

A study conducted in Finland investigated the relationships between trait and test anxiety and low and high achievement in 552 sixth- and eighth-graders. Before the final English language test of the spring term, the students responded to a questionnaire concerning worry, tension, test-irrelevant thoughts, physical reactions (e.g., rapid…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the 4MAT instructional system on achievement and attitudes in science. Fifty-four academically gifted sixth grade students in three schools in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro (North Carolina) City Schools were randomly assigned to two groups, a 4MAT group and a Restricted-Textbook group that…

Describes a study which examined the combined effects of student participation and of more realistic levels of vagueness terms (incertainty and bluffing terms) on student achievement and attitudes. One conclusion based on sixth-grade students (N=96) responses suggests that relatively low levels of teacher uncertainty and bluffing can influence…

The Utvardering genom uppfoljning (UGU) project was initiated in Sweden to follow individual students throughout their school career to understand their experiences and learnings during that time. Approximately 18,600 students from grades six and three comprised the survey population. This newsletter serves as an interim report highlighting key…

Interview responses of fifth- and sixth-grade gifted and talented children in resource programs revealed attitudes about their own abilities, competition, their school programs, expectations of others, and participation in special programs. A variety of social and emotional needs clearly emerged. (MSE)