The effect of three model variables on student performance of syntactic and semantic language behaviors in the absence of direct or vicarious reinforcement was examined. Subjects were sixth-grade students of both sexes attending New Mexico Schools. Half of the subjects and models were Chicanos and half were Anglos. (BJG)

This study examines teachers' interactions with fourth- and fifth-grade Mexican American (n=40) and Anglo American (n=59) students who were similar in terms of socioeconomic background, level of academic achievement, and English proficiency. The relationship of these interactions to students' achievement is also examined. (PN)

Three measures of field dependence were used to determine whether: (1) Mexican American students are more field dependent than Anglo Americans; (2) intercorrelations between the tests are significant and comparable for both cultures; and (3) field dependence significantly affects academic performance. These assumptions were generally not…

The effect of extended text writing on the writing proficiency of urban elementary school students was investigated with 39 fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms. Both quality of writing and use of writing conventions was better for students with extended writing practice, a result consistent for minority and European American students. (SLD)

Beliefs about children's performance in mathematics were examined through interviews with mothers and their sixth-grade children in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and in Chinese-American and Caucasian-American groups in the United States. (Author/LMO)

The predictive validity of six tests of academic readiness were determined for Anglo, Black, and Mexican American first-grade children from middle and lower socioeconomic status (SES) homes. The tests were most valid for Anglos; least for Blacks; and more valid for middle than for lower SES children. (Author/GDC)

Effects of language of administration on IQ and predictions of letter learning and achievement were investigated for Anglo and bilingual Mexican American preschool children. Significant IQ differences were associated with language of test administration. No significant differences among predictions of letter task performance were obtained for…

The degree to which Anglo- and Mexican-American first-grade teachers can accurately decode nonverbal indicants of comprehension and noncomprehension was examined. Teachers perceived boys as understanding more than girls. Slight cultural differences were found in children's behavior, but it did not affect teachers' interpretation. (JAZ)