Explores direct techniques, such as semantic mapping and formal word analysis, as ways of supplementing the incidental learning of French vocabulary through reading by high school students in immersion and extended French classes. Findings indicate that these techniques can play a positive role in the second language classroom. (38 references)…

This study examined how prior knowledge and experience influenced first-career and second-career beginning science teachers' curriculum and classroom instruction. Observations and interviews indicated that teachers compromised their beliefs about good content and became similar by the end of the year. The classroom curricula of both groups emerged…

Describes a project to improve the education of learning disabled and at-risk ninth graders included in challenging courses by the school district. Regular and special educators used collaborative consultation (analysis of teaching styles and learner needs and creation of responsive strategies) to share responsibility and bring their various…

A study of 303 predominately Hispanic and Native American ninth graders investigated the validity of the DISCOVER assessment. Results provided evidence for an alignment of the assessment with the theory of multiple intelligences. No overall gender or ethnic differences were found in the numbers of students identified as gifted. (Contains…

Describes the benefits of including the ninth grade within the 3-year multi-age group setting within a Montessori farm school. Notes how seventh, eighth, and ninth grades work together in one family cluster, allowing 15-year-olds to avoid the pecking order of the high school freshman year while developing personal leadership, confidence, and a…

Describes KITES (Kids Interactive Telecommunications Experience by Satellite), a cooperative program that involved an eighth grade class in Massachusetts and a ninth grade class in West Germany; the program focused on environmental science and English language instruction. The computer technology used is described, problems are discussed, and…

The academic performance of 86 mainstreamed learning-disabled students was compared with that of 87 low-achieving students. Significant differences were found between the groups' grades in social studies and health but not in science. Of intelligence quotient, reading level, and absence rates, only absence rates differentiated between ninth grade…

Examined is the effectiveness of a smoking-prevention program in modifying high school students' attitudes and values in such categories as health, peer pressure, and social image as related to smoking. The intervention lasted four to six weeks within the framework of ninth- and tenth-grade biology classes. (Author/YP)

Ninth-grade students in Norway responded to a questionnaire concerning aspects of their teacher's murder. Female students reported talking more with their friends and family about the incident and had higher stress reactions than males. Males did not seem as willing to confront the trauma and pain, suggesting gender differences in the ability to…

Provides selected student contributions in a pilot multicultural oral history seminar for ninth graders. The seminar's purpose was to elicit student participation in sharing their feelings about their old and new cultural worlds and to allow student collaboration in curriculum development. The common themes expressed involve adaptation and the…

An Israeli study investigated high school students' perceptions of mathematics, English, Hebrew, and Arabic. A questionnaire measured affect, worth, gender typing, and perceived attributes contributing to success in each subject. Results indicated ethnicity more than gender affected students' perception of subject matter. (SM)

Ninth grade students of limited English proficiency (SLEP) in Hawaii were studied to determine their characteristics on Hawaii Test of Essential Competencies (HSTEC), how they compare to norm on test, and degree to which performance on HSTEC can be predicted. Results indicate that SLEP students can be considered separate population within total…

A study concurrently identified significant relationships between the attitudes of high school students toward nuclear energy, environmental issues, energy concepts, science concepts, space exploration, and metrication topical areas. Surveys indicated there were significant concurrent attitudinal relationships between specific science-related…

Gender differences in omitting items and guessing on multiple-choice tests were studied in Israel for 302 male and 302 female ninth graders and 150 male and 150 female university applicants. Females tended to omit more items and guess less often than did males. Implications for scoring are discussed. (SLD)

Considers whether ability grouping can be implemented more effectively than is typical explores the possibility of high-quality instruction in low-ability classes using data from 112 eighth- and ninth-grade ability-grouped English classes. Two examples of apparently effective instruction in low tracks are presented. (SLD)