Three sources of variability in school achievement of children from demographically homogeneous families were identified: (1) socioeconomic status, (2) family configuration, which are direct and environmentally mediated effects of families' demographic characteristics, and (3) individual differences in the quality of the early environment. (RH)

The effect of teachers' emotional stance toward children on their accuracy in evaluating children's self-image was studied with 21 female fourth-grade Israeli teachers and their 78 female and 46 male students. Results indicate major inaccuracies in teachers' assessment as a function of teachers' closeness to students. (TJH)

Analyzes differences in achievement levels between Sephardi and Ashkenazi grade 6 students and overall achievement levels in 24 Israeli urban elementary schools. Finds that schools with higher levels of between-classroom segregation had larger ethnic achievement gaps. (FMW)

Examined gender differences in spatial, verbal, and mathematical ability in 11,000 Israeli elementary school children. In each test the variance for boys exceeded girls by 10% to 20%. Consistent cross-grade differences in mean achievement were found only for mathematical ability. These results contradict American findings that show no gender…

The authors examined the differences in performance between 30 dyslexic readers in 4th grade, 30 dyslexic readers attending university, and age-matched normal readers for both groups on a lexical decision task to evaluate the underlying factors of dyslexia that persist into adulthood. In both age groups, the dyslexic readers were significantly…

We focused on potential effects of directly controlling teacher behaviors (DCTB), such as giving frequent directives, interfering with children's preferred pace of learning, and not allowing critical and independent opinions. We hypothesized that children's perceptions of their teachers as directly controlling would arouse anger and anxiety in…

This article examines the effects of school organizational and educational climate, and a teacher's sense of efficacy, on general education teachers' attitudes toward inclusion of students with special needs. The sample included 139 teachers from 17 elementary schools in the Northern District of Israel. The results of Pearson correlation and…

Examines the distinction between moral and conventional norms between 60 boys and girls in the first and fourth grades in Israel. Results are interpreted in terms of two distinct orientations to social norms: one where the criteria for social judgment of behaviors are consequences to others and law; the other where norms have absolute validity.…

This book provides an interpretive/ethnographic inquiry into the relationship between Jews and Palestinians who live in a small cooperative community and into its two schools, which are devoted to peaceful coexistence. The village aims to create a social, cultural, and political framework of equality and mutual respect for the residents while…

Findings of this study support the view that open schooling neither enhances nor decreases achievement as conventionally defined and measured. However, creativity in first graders was found to be enhanced by open schooling methods. (Author/DB)

The use of texts from children's readers can help children and teachers deal with death topics indirectly and in a nonthreatening way. Proposed teaching strategies include extended discussion, by the way comments, reflective comments, and free writing. (JAC)

Studied popularity and aspects of self-esteem between girls evidencing more traditional masculine characteristics and girls with more feminine characteristics. Findings from 166 girls aged 9 to 10 years old reveal girls reporting both traits and behaviors considered traditionally masculine were less popular, had lower self-esteem, and were less…

Describes a study that asked teachers and student-teachers to nominate their most noticeable pupils regarding ability, achievement, behavior, and teacher's preoccupation with them, as defined in eight school-related categories. Findings indicate that boys are perceived as the majority of salient students. (JS)

Examined how children of different cultural backgrounds weigh competing considerations when presented with conflicts between two concerns: Justice-Authority; Justice-Interpersonal; Personal-Interpersonal; Personal-Authority. For each concern, subjects selected the course of action to be followed and weighed alternatives. Found differences between…

Used a Jewish Rating Scale and Piagetian scale to investigate the influence of intellectual growth on ethnic self-definition and the meaning of Jewishness to Jewish children in Israel. Found a high positive correlation between children's age and the mode of their definition of their Jewishness. (Author/BB)