A sample of 333 8th, 10th, and 12th graders completed a questionnaire measuring their academic motivational orientations through items investigating perceptions of causal attributions and actual causal attributions. Results show a number of gender differences, with girls more likely to attribute failure to lack of ability and lack of effort. (SLD)

Data from the 1987-88 National Assessment of Educational Progress School Questionnaire for grades 4, 8, and 12 were examined to determine relationships between policy changes and school climate and individual grouping variables. Reform is taking place where it is most needed (in large urban disadvantaged schools with non-white populations). (SLD)

A study of Southeast Asian-American immigrants showed that English writing skills for mainstreamed students were the same at the eighth-, tenth-, and twelfth-grade levels and were the same as nonnative university students. Results suggest that age on arrival was a more important factor than number of years in United States and grade at entry. (21…

This study examined the relationship between participation in school-based sports and drug use among Black and White high school students, using data from participants in the National Educational Longitudinal Survey of 1988 (NELS, NCES, 1988) and follow-up surveys in 1990 and 1992. While previous research produced inconsistent results, the present…

This report illustrates the use of hierarchical linear models (HLM) with National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data to identify school and other correlates of student achievement. Based on an analysis of the 1990 NAEP mathematics achievement data for 4th, 8th, and 12th graders in public schools, this study is part of an ongoing…

This report compares information gathered from the Massachusetts Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test administrations of 1986 and 1988 with data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) tests given those same years (mathematics and science in 1986 and reading and United States history in 1988). The focus is on how…

This report presents the results of an assessment of social studies in the state of Massachusetts. From 240 to 390 test items were administered to all students in grades 4, 8, and 12. The test covered history, government/citizenship, geography, sociocultural environment, economics, multicultural environment, social studies process skills, and…

This bulletin is intended to provide a brief summary of the California Assessment Program (CAP) testing results for the 1986-87 school year. General comments regarding testing in San Diego (California), commonly asked questions, and school- and district-level results are provided. Tabulated results cover mean scale scores for grades 3, 6, and 8…

Completed in 1982-83, this is a manual of science competencies and proficiencies for the Moorestown Public Schools, New Jersey. The document's seven major sections include: (1) a statement of philosophy of the science department stressing science education's role as the link between science, technology, and society; (2) suggested science…

This report evaluates the 1982-83 Motivational and Self-Imagery Development/Job Development project in the Cleveland Public Schools. The project's purpose is to present job information to students in grades 11 and 12 and to provide assistance in placing students in fulltime jobs after graduation. Students in grades 8 and 9 are also introduced to a…

Prepared as part of a project designed to provide an objectively measured indication of the quality of student writing in one school district, this paper examines argumentative and narrative essays written by students at the fifth, eighth, and twelfth grade levels. The first section of the paper discusses the primary analysis of student writing…

The second British Columbia (B.C.) Reading Assessment was conducted in the spring of 1980 to evaluate the reading skills of students in grades 4, 8, and 12. The four areas of reading achievement measured were word attack, word meaning, passage comprehension, and applied reading/study skills. A panel of evaluators included educators and…

In 1995, the American College Testing (ACT) Program conducted a study of the effects of using a calculator in its ACT Assessment and PLAN mathematics tests taken by approximately 38,000 students. Whether there would be changes in the PLAN and ACT score scales as a result of permitting calculator use on the mathematics tests was explored with…

Discusses results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in U.S. History and what may have influenced them, including use of computers and use of primary source materials. Includes an annotated bibliography of Web sites regarding the concept of peace as an alternative to perpetuating the historical realities of war. (LRW)

In early May 2002, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released a study of U.S. history achievement among fourth, eight, and twelfth graders, finding that nearly 60 percent of high school senior test-takers failed to demonstrate basic knowledge of U.S. history. Although the hand-wringing has begun about what "must be done" to…