INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INQUIRY-BASED INSTRUCTION ON STUDENTS WITH DIFFERENT PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND READING ABILITIES

This study examined the differential impacts of an inquiry-based instruction on conceptual changes across levels of prior knowledge and reading ability. The instrument emphasized four simultaneously important components: conceptual knowledge, reading ability, attitude toward science, and learning environment. Although the learning patterns and effect size analyses indicated that students from all subgroups demonstrated substantial gains on weather concepts, students from the low prior conceptual knowledge group demonstrated greater gains in conceptual knowledge than subgroups with more prior knowledge; and these gains remained stable 3 weeks after the instruction ceased. However, students from the low language proficiency group showed the least gains in conceptual knowledge. Students’ prior knowledge and reading ability were found to be positively and significantly associated to conceptual development. Recent perspectives on the role of language in science education and suggestions that support learning during instruction are briefly described.     

TEACHING READING COMPREHENSION TO LEARNERS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: PREDICTORS OF TEACHER SELF‐EFFICACY AND OUTCOME EXPECTANCY

Learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit difficulty in the area of reading comprehension. Research connecting the learning needs of individuals with ASD, existing effective practices, teacher training, and teacher perceptions of their own ability to teach reading comprehension is scarce. Quantitative survey methodology and hierarchical regression analysis were utilized to investigate teacher preparedness to use effective practices, along with the job‐related factors of experience, administrator support, learner verbal ability, and instructional setting, as predictors of (1) teacher perceived self‐efficacy and (2) teacher perceived outcome expectancy teaching reading comprehension to learners with ASD. Study findings, based on 112 teacher participants, indicate that teachers with a higher confidence in using effective practices have both a higher perception of their own ability to teach comprehension (self‐efficacy), and a higher expectation of their own ability to increase instructional outcomes in learners with ASD (outcome expectancy). Implications for practice include professional development recommendations and provision of ongoing support from principals and administrators.     

COACHING MIDDLE-LEVEL TEACHERS TO THINK ALOUD IMPROVES COMPREHENSION INSTRUCTION AND STUDENT READING ACHIEVEMENT

In an effort to improve student achievement, a group of middle-school teachers at an underperforming school developed a schoolwide literacy plan. As part of the plan, they agreed to model their thinking while reading aloud. Eight teachers were selected for coaching related to think alouds in which they exposed students to comprehension strategies that they used while reading. The achievement of their students was compared with the achievement of students whose teachers participated in the ongoing professional development but who were not coached. Results indicate that the coached teachers changed their instructional practices and that student achievement improved as a result.     

KINDERGARTEN SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL AND READING ACHIEVEMENT: A CROSS‐LAGGED PATH MODEL FOR AT‐RISK LEARNERS

The association between social withdrawal, school adjustment, and academic functioning in preschool and school entry is well‐established. Children who experience social withdrawal in primary grades are at risk for decreased academic performance. The bidirectional relationships among early literacy and social withdrawal in primary grades have not been examined to date. The present study used a cross‐lagged model to examine the relationship between social withdrawal and early literacy skills from kindergarten to second grade (N = 137). Results indicated that kindergarten social withdrawal predicted second grade reading achievement after controlling for prior literacy skill acquisition. Bidirectional influence hypotheses were not confirmed in the present study.     

一例大学生完美主义倾向的辅导案例报告

大二学生小辛,女,20周岁。因为思维“神游”,无法集中注意力学习。真实的自己和现实的自己完全不同,无法统一,怀疑自己人格分裂,特别痛苦,抱着最后的希望来求助。通过访谈了解到,小辛的情绪情感长期压抑,有很强的完美主义倾向,始终在追求认可,其思维模式中存在不合理信念。通过三次心理分析和认知治疗。让小辛明白自己性格、认知中的偏颇是其问题的核心原因所在,从而调整认识,促其心理行为的改善。     

THE MATHEMATICS SYLLABUS AND ADULT LEARNERS IN COMMUNITY COLLEGES: INTEGRATING TECHNIQUE WITH CONTENT

This article presents a brief discussion of the challenges presented to mathematics education by change, in social dependence on mathematics, in professional response to the needs of students of mathematics, in institutional expectations of students and teachers, and in student demographics and expectations. Faculty in community colleges, where these changes might be most apparent, need new teaching tools. When constructed, presented, and enforced as a contract between adult student and teacher, the course syllabus can be a powerful teaching tool; an extension of its traditional role as administrative communication. The syllabus provides the venue to clearly communicate expectations to students. An extended outline for such a syllabus is given and discussed in terms of construction and presentation, and benefits to students and instructor. Nested within is an example of a grading rubric useful to a reform-minded instructor and acceptable to traditional institutions.     

WHY INTENSIVE INTERVENTIONS ARE NECESSARY FOR STUDENTS WITH SEVERE READING DIFFICULTIES

This article reviews research related to intensive interventions within a Response to Intervention framework. We review the research from studies that provided different levels of intensity of intervention with the goal of establishing a case that movement through less intensive tiers of intervention may not be an effective and responsible approach to addressing the reading difficulties of some students, particularly those with significant reading difficulties or disabilities.     

THE EFFECTS OF INSTRUCTION AND PRACTICE IN CONTENT-INDEPENDENT TEST-TAKING TECHNIQUES UPON THE STANDARDIZED READING TEST SCORES OF SELECTED SECOND-GRADE STUDENTS

Twenty-four relatively test-naive second-grade students received eight 30-minute periods of deliberate instruction and practice in content-independent standardized test-taking techniques over a four-week period. Immediate and delayed effects of treatment were assessed through an analysis of improvement in standardized reading test scores as measured by the difference between experimental and control groups in the Stanford Reading Test. The results showed that students who received instruction and practice in test-taking techniques achieved significantly higher scores on both the immediate posttest administered the week following treatment and the delayed posttest administered four months after treatment. Mean differences were about a quarter of a standard deviation.     

READING

(A) A mother fly(苍蝇) had a travel with her children. They flew from one shop to another and they flew from one restaurant to another. They had much nice food and drink. They were very happy.