Three main purposes provided the foundation for this study. The first purpose was to investigate academic achievement through analyses of data obtained through formal and informal assessments among kindergarten through eighth grade students who participated in a Head Start program, center-based care program, or home-based care prior to school…

Teachers rated the behavior of 205 3rd- and 4th-grade children on a 30-item scale. Correlations of factor scores with measures of academic achievement, creativity, inquiry skill, and various orientations, motives, attitudes, and values were investigated. Correlations suggest that teachers can validly discriminate between perseverant and…

This paper argues for the use of social indicators, in conjunction with the traditional norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests, to assess the effects of local educational systems. A conceptual framework for the study of educational performance is presented, interrelating: (1) personal resources invested by youth; (2) opportunities for…

Two studies are described which capitalize on the strengths of the instructional development process for research purposes. Typically, developed courses have carefully-designed learning environment specifications, replicable instructional treatments, and well-proven achievement measures. A battery of questionnaires and rating scales concerning…