This case study described the perceptions and experiences of 12 African American students who transferred from a community college into a specially designed teacher education project in a predominantly white public state university. The paper presents hypotheses regarding student goal commitments, institutional commitments, and commitments to…

Maintains that to prepare students for the next century, music teachers must prepare them to be technologically literate in music. Describes the technology-based music education program at Ortega Elementary School in Austin, Texas. (CFR)

Describes a study of ninth graders that investigated the effects of learner and program control over content review in science-related computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Results of posttests, continuing motivation measures, and attitude questions are discussed; and future research is suggested. (35 references) (LRW)

Describes a study of how Chinese-American family and community behaviors, routines, values, and expectations affect the educational achievement of Chinese-American children. Finds that some traits, valuing effort over innate ability and parental involvement, do support academic achievement in association with certain social and economic…

Investigated how family processes influence high school student dropout behavior. Used a sample of 114 dropouts from 1 California high school, 48 of whom were matched to similarly profiled continuing students. Identified factors that explain students' dropout decisions: permissive parenting, negative parental reactions to grades, excessive…

Relationships among student motivational orientation, self-regulated learning, and classroom academic performance were examined for 173 seventh graders. Results provide empirical evidence for considering motivational and self-regulated learning components in models of academic performance. Involvement in self-regulated learning is tied closely to…

Presents insights gained from the operation of the With and for Parents program in the Harlem Park neighborhood of Baltimore (Maryland). The aim was to increase the influence of low-income minority parents over children's decisions to remain in school until graduation. Changing parent attitudes was the project's key. (SLD)

Describes an evaluation of the effects of the Mathematics and Science Computer Assisted Remedial Teaching (MASCART) software on students at the University of Botswana. Treatment of experimental and control groups is explained, effects on ability groups are discussed, and increased time on task and student motivation are considered. (14 references)…

Investigates the relationship between social studies classroom environment and student motivation. Correlates several environmental variables with three motivational constructs (academic motivation, academic self-concept, and social self-concept) among 157 sixth grade, predominantly Hispanic students. Finds student satisfaction significantly…

Effects of the involvement, classroom structure, and autonomy support of 14 teachers on the behavioral and emotional engagement of 144 third through fifth graders were studied across a school year. Results suggest that behaviorally disengaged students receive teacher responses that should further undermine motivation. (SLD)

Examines relationships among socioeconomic advantage, achievement motivation, and academic performance in an urban elementary school population of 130 African-American and Hispanic fourth- through sixth-grade students. Results indicate that socioeconomic advantage and achievement motivation are significant mediators of academic performance among…

Discusses the school librarian's role in helping to develop students' reading motivation. Topics include the importance of feedback; providing time to read, perhaps as a reward; adequate access to books; flexible schedules for library time; reading aloud; book-discussion groups; family involvement; and using older students as tutors. (LRW)

Suggest ways that elementary school media specialists can encourage reading. Highlights include personal attention; students reading aloud; book bibliographies; a comfortable reading corner; competition; student suggestions for titles; contests and games; teacher recommendations; booktalks; displays; and author visits. (LRW)

Criticizes most history textbooks for presenting a single perspective with few conflicting ideas. Characterizes literature-based instruction as a resource rich in multiple viewpoints that invites the reader to enter into moral discussions about historical events. Presents several examples of trade books illustrating specific historical periods…

Summarizes Process Communications Management's six basic personality types: feelers, thinkers, believers, dreamers, funsters, and doers, and discusses the implications for teachers. Two keys to reaching all students in the classroom are to meet each student's motivational needs positively and to talk to them in a way in which they can best relate.…