For 241 normal and 132 gifted fifth graders and 113 normal and 117 gifted seventh graders in Ottawa (Ontario), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses investigated the factorial validity of the Perceived Competence Scale for Children (PCSC). Overall, the PCSC demonstrated sound psychometric properties. (SLD)

This study investigates the status of depression among sex-related emotional differences in adolescents and examines the organizational properties of emotion relative to other life experience. Fifth-, seventh-, ninth-, and eleventh-grade students reported on experience and situational dynamics of 12 emotions. Gender differences in adolescent…

Reports on a survey of 72 "recognized" middle schools and 83 randomly chosen schools, which indicates that most schools require reading instruction, especially in grade six. Finds that many offer remedial programs, but that practice has not responded to theoreticians' advocacy for reading in content areas. (RS)

Reports on a study of students' preferences for social studies, English, and science courses among 888 secondary students. Finds that seventh graders preferred social studies over science, but this preference weakened substantially as students advanced into high school. Finds that boys preferred social studies over English throughout high school.…

Study investigated how to characterize students' transformational geometry problem-solving strategies, how strategies characterized particular subjects, and how strategy usage related to performance. Videotapes indicated problem-solving responses could be classified consistently, some students preferred holistic processing, some items readily…

Investigated the efficacy of two related reciprocal teaching interventions--with cooperative grouping or with cross-age tutoring--on the reading comprehension of learning disabled English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students. Found no significant difference between the two groups: both made comprehension gains and continued to improved when…

Obtained peer nominations, teacher reports, and self-reports for 423 sixth and seventh graders. Compared to sociometrically average status students, neglected students reported higher levels of motivation and were described by teachers as being more self-regulated, more prosocial, and better liked. Aggressive-rejected, but not submissive-rejected,…

Whether indexes of cognitive processes that affect adults are related to sentence reading times and recall was studied for 49 fifth grade and 73 seventh grade good and poor readers. Younger children differed from older children in that greater numbers of causal relations were associated with better sentence recall. (SLD)

Asserts that the United Nations, though often restricted by Cold War events, has had a resurgence as the hope for a true global forum for the world's pressing issues. Maintains that the need to teach about peacekeeping and model conflict resolution skills is crucial in today's world. (CFR)

Describes the evolution of "Science 2000," a nontextbook program adopted by the California State Board of Education for seventh-grade science. Discusses ways the program can be integrated into the classroom and describes science classrooms utilizing the program. (MDH)

To motivate students toward higher achievement and encourage mingling across racial and socioeconomic groups, a team of Florida seventh-grade teachers developed a plan featuring a rotating schedule, enrichment classes for all students, long time-blocks two days weekly, and heterogeneous cohesive groups. The program exposed all students to a…

Summarizes a midwestern study of single-parent seventh and eighth graders' special school needs and the effectiveness of school policies, programs, and practices in meeting those needs. The principals surveyed felt schools were more effective than parents in meeting certain student needs. Although principals felt specific approaches were…

Shows how United States history can be used for stimulating imaginative writing assignments about civic and cultural heritage. Shares how asking for revisions of first drafts developed students' writing skills. Shares one example of a student's writing. (MG)

Data from a longitudinal survey of mathematically precocious 13-year olds (n=1,247) were used to test 5 factors (quality and quantity of instruction, home environment, motivation, and ability) for their ability to predict educational achievement and educational and career aspirations. Students were followed until age 23. (SM)

Describes a variety of writing activities and community service projects designed to develop middle school students' civic identity and pride in being citizens of the state of Kentucky. Includes teaching ideas and a project evaluation. (PRA)