Achievement in English was measured for 64 German eighth graders by a cloze test, which was evaluated by three methods, yielding similar results. Twenty-one native English speakers comprised a criterion group. The cloze test may be appropriate for evaluating oral communication when an oral interview is not feasible. (SLD)

This article provides evidence regarding the effects of schools, teachers, and teaching processes on enhancing eighth grade mathematics achievement in Nigeria and Swaziland. Findings suggest that teaching quality (teaching practices) is more important than teacher quality (education, experience, certification) in determining student outcomes. (IAH)

Types of strategies used by (n=36) fourth-, sixth-, and eighth-grade students solving comparison of area tasks were identified and classified. Most students used a direct comparison strategy to compare areas. Use of a part-whole strategy increased with the introduction of fractional terms and symbols. (23 references) (MKR)

By procrastinating, allowing others to keep them from studying, deliberately not trying, and using other "self-handicapping" strategies, students can convey that those circumstances, rather than lack of ability, are the reasons for subsequent poor performance. Survey data from 256 eighth-grade students indicated that boys use those strategies more…

Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress mathematics assessment for within-state samples of eighth graders suggest that achievement is inversely related to school and district size indexes and to state-funding share. Higher achieving states have smaller schools and districts and smaller state shares of school expenditures. (SLD)

Investigates the performance on different types of inference questions of 2 groups of Zambian secondary school students at grade 10 and grade 8. The texts used were "familiar" (Zambian-focused) or "unfamiliar" (British-focused). Results showed that grade 10 students performed significantly better than grade 8 students. (38…

Examines technology access and use in urban, suburban, and rural schools by using data from the eighth-grade cohort of the 1988 National Educational Longitudinal Survey. Results indicate significant differences in the use of mathematics technology in school settings, and that inequalities in educational opportunity still need to be addressed. (JKP)

Reports on a study of eighth-grade mathematical performance of 77,000 students in 19 countries, data from 1964 and 1982 studies in 9 countries, and data on gender stratification and its impact on mathematics performance. Finds that a cross-national variation exists and that it is related to gender stratification. (CFR)

Examines perceptions of eighth graders in a science teaching environment in which they guide their own learning, frame problems for inquiry, design data collection procedures, and interpret and present data in a convincing fashion. Asserts that, in constructing their inquiries, students successfully negotiated courses of action and established…

Compares Asian and white eighth graders' performance on reading and math test scores and grades. Results indicate that the difference between these two groups can be explained by family background. Whites and Asians differed substantially in their grade performance, suggesting that cultural and behavioral differences may be an important influence.…

An attempt was made to assess effects of an educational project designed to enhance knowledge and influence attitudes about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) using trained student instructors. Results with 20 eighth graders showed knowledge enhancement but a negligible effect on attitudes. Most students received AIDs information from mass…

Studied relationships between intended, implemented, and tested curricula of (n=84) classes of eighth-grade mathematics students based on data from the Second International Mathematics Study (SIMS). Analysis indicated the SIMS test for eighth graders was not representative of curriculum defined by students' texts. (Contains 22 references.)…

Examined relationship between pubertal status, quality of interactions with significant others, and self-esteem of 178 adolescent girls. Analysis revealed that girls who had begun menstruating 6 months before investigation obtained higher scores on self-esteem than girls who had been menstruating 13 months or more. Best predictor of self-esteem…

A procedure is presented for examining the influence of instruction on responses to test items by extending item response theory to incorporate variables illustrating different amounts of opportunity to learn. Data from the Second International Mathematics Study (grade 8 scores for about 7,000 students) illustrate the discussion. (SLD)

Focuses on the language used in mathematics instruction and the ways in which teachers assist students in constructing the formal language of mathematics. Strategies to help students connect vocabulary with mathematical concepts include using teacher modeling, writing, cooperative learning, and having students define words in their own language.…