This report analyzes the attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of a random national sample of 3,087 fifth and sixth grade students from 15,787 respondents to a Wildlife Survey distributed in "Weekly Reader" periodicals. The questionnaire examined the prevalence of four basic orientations toward wildlife (humanistic, moralistic, naturalistic,…

Among the research results on the perceptions of 207 intermediate grade students was the indication that, while problem-solving performance related only to intelligence and math achievement scores, ideational fluency related significantly to student perceptions of emphasis on higher level thinking skills in the classroom and positive classroom…

How certain ability-related academic self-perceptions are organized in the self-systems of fifth graders was studied with 190 children who completed questionnaires. Confirmatory factor analysis indicates that children differentiate their ability-related perceptions in ways that current models of academic self-perceptions cannot account for fully.…

Alternative classifications commonly used by children aged 12, 14, and 15 are presented. Why children use such alternatives is discussed. Age- and gender-related trends in performance on classification tasks is examined. Children's attitudes to classification and their perceptions of its usefulness in school and everyday contexts are reviewed. (KR)

This paper describes the Motivations for Reading Questionnaire (MRQ), including information on how the MRQ can be used and how to administer and score it. The MRQ assesses 11 possible dimensions of reading motivations. It can be used with children in late elementary school and middle school. Scores on the MRQ have been shown to relate to…

Students from grades four through eleven (n=304) responded to a questionnaire regarding their viewpoints on grades. Three dimensions were examined: (1) attitudes about being graded; (2) comprehension of grading systems; and (3) causal perceptions and attributions about why students get good grades. Findings are discussed. (Author/MT)

This paper describes the development, validation, and analysis of a classroom learning environment questionnaire that uses parent perceptions in conjunction with student perceptions in investigating classroom learning environments in grades 4 and 5 in a South Florida school. Two modified versions of the What Is Happening in this Class (WIHIC)…

This practicum addressed the problem of providing practical computer application experiences to fifth grade students as they relate to real life work situations. The primary goal was to have students become cognizant of computer functions within the work setting as contrasted with viewing computer activities as instruments used for games or…

A survey to determine the feelings of sudents attending a new middle school showed a decline in motivation among eighth graders. A majority of parents agreed that school discipline should be stricter. (LD)

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…

Findings presented in a lengthier evaluation report of a reorganized junior high program in Minneapolis during the 1971-72 school year are summarized. In the Jordan component of the program, two counselors coordinated six workshops attended by about half of the teachers who had at least one seventh grade class. Teachers reported improved contact…

With the administration of the 2002 Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP), a questionnaire was given to students in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 about Opportunity to Learn, Reading, Writing, and Mathematics, and to all students in grades 4, 6, 8, and 11 about Opportunity to Learn, Science, and Social Studies. Students responses to the questions were…

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.…

A 3-year study was conducted to document individual differences in computer interest and use among middle school students and the psychological and social processes that may contribute to these differences. A questionnaire was used to assess the computer interest and use of a sample of approximately 400 middle school students at the end of each of…

Students' achievement in school is undoubtedly multi-faceted. Research has suggested that one important variable in student achievement is the interaction between the teacher and the student. Such interactions may serve to enhance or diminish the achievement of an individual student or group of students. Results of anonymous questionnaires given…