A survey of 1,353 college students who received tuition rebates for tutoring disadvantaged students, grades four-nine, revealed: (1) tutor motivations differed, (2) intrinsically motivated tutors rated tutoring success higher than extrinsically motivated tutors, and (3) tutors declaring only extrinsic motivation were more critical. (IAH)

Data indicates a greater positive attitude toward school held by children in an open program compared to children in a traditional program, thus supporting the idea that an open environment may lead to more positive attitudes toward school. This research is drawn from an extensive evaluation of open education being conducted under the leadership…

Studied the attitudes and perceptions of children towards computers in classrooms. For one school year, questionnaires were distributed to children in grades four through seven before and after single computers were placed in each classroom. Overall, the children had positive attitudes toward computers, although girls were less positive than boys.…

Students in grades four, five, and six who represented three classifications of ability were compared for their conceptualizations, attributions, and attitudes about school grading practices. Intellectually gifted, learning disabled, and normally achieving students were assessed. Significant differences were found among the three groups,…

This unit of study, intended for intermediate grade students, focuses on comparing students from different cultures: Germany and the United States. The unit addresses National Social Studies Standards (NCSS) standards; presents an introduction, such as purpose/rationale; cites a recommended grade level; states objectives; provides a time…

A study sought to determine whether intermediate age children exposed to open classroom teaching strategy have a more positive attitude toward school than intermediate age children exposed to conventional teaching strategy. The hypothesis was that there would be no significant difference in attitude between the two groups. The study was limited to…

The purpose of this study was to develop and test written and observational instruments and to investigate the relationship between the attitudes and behaviors toward gifted children among teachers of the gifted and those among teachers of regular classes. The subjects consisted of 13 teachers of the gifted and 25 preservice and inservice teachers…

The goal of this study was to interpret patterns of consonance and dissonance between the parenting behaviors that parents report and those that their middle-school children expect them to report. A questionnaire was developed and administered to a sample of middle-school children in grades 6-8 in Felton Laboratory School at South Carolina State…

Studied popularity and aspects of self-esteem between girls evidencing more traditional masculine characteristics and girls with more feminine characteristics. Findings from 166 girls aged 9 to 10 years old reveal girls reporting both traits and behaviors considered traditionally masculine were less popular, had lower self-esteem, and were less…

This study examined whether 81 sixth grade students from various socioeconomic and racial backgrounds perceived any disadvantages in being taught by a team of teachers rather than by a single teacher in a self-contained classroom. Critics of team teaching assert that a self-contained classroom provides more stability, security, structure, and…

The results of a three-part study, conducted to present an indepth look at reading comprehension instruction in the middle grades, are described in this report. Four major areas are covered: teacher's verbal reports, program specifications, teaching behavior, and student mastery. The report first describes the research design, or how a profile of…

To determine the appropriateness of existing writing assessment instruments, to set directions for future assessment, and to ensure that assessment instruments are consistent with the requirements of the new English curriculum of the Northern Territory (Australia), teachers were sampled to determine how they used the booklets of moderated writing…

Reports results of a qualitative study that examined what a group of fifth graders thought about using the "Research Buddy," a World Wide Web site designed to help them do a research project. Findings center on the comparison of student perceptions with observed student behavior. The data collection instruments are appended. (MES)

A review of the literature was undertaken to determine whether purchasing DIALOG in the CD-ROM format or subscribing to the DIALOG online format would be the better solution for middle school students interested in information retrieval. This report begins by stating the problem and defining common computer terms. A review of the related…

Comparative research was conducted using gifted and average upper elementary and junior high school students to determine the effectiveness of utilizing microcomputers for the development of computer literacy and the implementation of curriculum courseware. Eighty students were selected as the treatment group and received instruction in the…