Initiatives for outdoor education have gained popularity because of their capacity to boost teacher well-being, foster better mental health in instructors, and enrich the learning environment for students. We demonstrate the influence that outside education programs have on the achievement of students and how they create a vivid tapestry of…

Twenty fourth grade students wrote brief answers to teacher questions on laminated response cards. Compared to hand raising, 6 target students exhibited more active student response during instruction, most of the 20 students scored higher on daily quizzes, and most preferred response cards over hand raising. (JDD)

Reports results of a study of fourth-grade students in Nigeria. Examines the relationship between parents' willingness and ability to provide financial and psychological support and the academic achievement of Nigerian students. Concludes that parental support influences academic achievement along with other factors such as parental occupation and…

This study investigated the correlation between self-concept and reading achievement level in 20 reading-disabled students (mean age 10.3 years, mean grade level 4.75), having average intelligence. Self-concept was assessed using the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale and reading achievement level by the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment…

Describes a framework for moving from the general school effectiveness factors to specific practices and behaviors focusing on strong leadership by the principal. Outlines the general functions of instructional leadership, then narrows to one function, monitoring student progress, and derives specific principal behaviors. (MLF)

Administrators who focus on school-community relations for an uninterrupted time daily or several times each week will strongly affect community relations, parental involvement, and, ultimately, student achievement. (MLF)

Presents study results dealing with student musical aptitude and achievement and the degree of parental involvement. Reports that 113 Pennsylvania wind instrumentalists were studied. Finds little correlation between parental involvement and performance achievement, musical achievement, or musical aptitude. Identifies a significant relationship for…

Examines science achievement and attitude scores of fifth-grade students obtained from the Second International Science Study. Compares these results to those obtained from students in 1970. Data related to biology, space sciences, sex differences, and other areas are highlighted. (JN)

This study of 44 children in grades 4 and 5 found that children with learning disabilities (LD) required more time than nondisabled students to achieve 100 percent accuracy on a short learning unit and retained less factual content. LD students who did not spend adequate time in learning dropped more dramatically in achievement than nondisabled…

Nineteen gifted students and 11 average students, age 11, completed Einstellung Test problems and were queried about their metacognitive knowledge. A three-way interaction among giftedness, speed, and flexibility was found, with metacognitive knowledge as the criterion. Regardless of speed, inflexible children had less metacognitive knowledge than…

Researchers on the Lasting Benefits Study (LBS) are tracking students who participated in Tennessee's K-3 Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio (STAR) Project (1985-89) as they continue into later grades. Project STAR was a statewide experiment conducted to demonstrate the effects of reduced student/teacher ratios (15:1) on student achievement…

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)…

Discusses middle school student tracking. Describes a longitudinal analysis of tracking among 1,669 students. Argues that the number, stability, and size of tracks are determined independently of the student population distribution. Suggests that tracking is often based upon students' track history and prior achievement. Identifies tracking…

Presents results of a study of whether simulation leads to improved understanding of economic concepts among fifth grade students. Reports that simulations were used in instructing 300 children in 10 classes in the southeastern United States. Concludes that the use of simulations and role-playing activities increased student performance in…

Developing self-motivated, empowered middle school students is an ongoing struggle for teachers and administrators. This practicum was designed to address the problem teachers have in finding specific teaching strategies that would help students become empowered and self-motivated learners. This study focuses on directly integrating techniques…