This article describes key steps parents can take to develop an achievement orientation in gifted children: heal the gifted child within the parent; give consistent messages; develop early independence; utilize encouragement; develop multiple self-definitions; set challenging but realistic goals; and model persistence. (Author/CR)

Discusses the digital divide between Latinos and non-Latinos in computer use and considers the role of affective factors. Highlights include negative attitudes of elementary Latino students; relationships between computer practices and student performance; beliefs about the usefulness of computers; and implications for educators. (LRW)

Using oral-history techniques, examines the culturally relevant pedagogy of eight recently retired African-American teachers and explores the roles they played as they worked with African-American students in an urban school district. These teachers were committed to academic achievement, but also understood the importance of working with students…

This study examines teachers' perceptions of classroom motivation and achievement among students displaying culture-based classroom behaviors. Sixty-two elementary school teachers read scenarios of hypothetical students who behaviorally manifested themes purported to be consistent with a European/mainstream cultural ethos (competition,…

A study examined the relationships among early adolescents' motivational goal orientations (task and ability focus), cognitive processing strategies, self-efficacy, and expectancy-value for literacy activities. These factors appear to vary by gender, academic status (special education, at-risk, and not-at-risk), and grade level. Subjects, 678…

The affect/effect theory of the mediation of teacher expectation effects is presented, and a research agenda is suggested for the investigation of this theory. In addition, some methodological issues in psychology are reviewed. The affect/effect theory states that a change in the level of expectations held by a teacher for the intellectual…

A quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group design was used to investigate the effects of full-spectrum light, prescribed color and light/color combinations, ultra-violet light, and electromagnetic radiation in an elementary school environment. Four schools in the Wetaskiwin School District, Alberta, were involved in the study; three served…

Four papers address issues related to affective competencies needed by teachers of visually handicapped students. In "Role of the Home and Parent in Enhancing Self-Concept," T. Galloway, a parent, describes her experiences in coping with her multiply handicapped child's disabilities and in helping him to feel good about himself. C. Leonard…

Administrators spend most of their time on noninstructional matters. Because they excuse this by claiming that nothing is known of the learning process, they need a systematic ordering of the basic, verified knowledge on learning. For instance, findings in learning research show that the capacity to learn school subjects is far more widely…

Four student-rated qualities of affective meaning associated with getting a grade of "C" in selected college courses were analyzed for their relation to student academic self-esteem and their sensitivity to two course-related context factors: course content and its intended audience. A total of 106 students in two sections of an introductory…

The purpose of this paper is to summarize and evaluate experiments which examined the effects of teacher questions on student achievement. The studies reviewed are of two types: (a) training experiments, in which the independent variable is teacher training; and (b) skills experiments, in which the frequency and manner of use of a teaching skill…

Successful and unsuccessful elementary school students are compared with respect to: (1) self-esteem, (2) self-concept of academic ability, (3) intellectual achievement responsibility--locus of control, and (4) the students' concept of home concern and reward for academic achievement. Several self concept tests are described, and bibliographical…

Teachers with direct and indirect teaching styles were paired with students who were high or low on social-emotional development, to create congruent and incongruent matches. Congruency was consistently related to instructional outcome with the effect strongest for student affect, followed by achievement, and then attention to task. Findings…

Multiple regression analyses were conducted using kindergarten intellectual, academic, and social variables to predict third-grade classroom behavior and achievement. Results indicate that kindergarten social and academic competencies were optimal predictors of later achievement-related behaviors and achievement. A social competence measure of…

The study of relationships between action control, motivation control, perceptions of course directions, and students' goals for 92 Australian undergraduates revealed different patterns for direction and effort and changing patterns from task on-set to off-set. Overall higher levels of effort and performance appear to require positive appraisals…