The Extent of the Use of the Left Hand in Handwriting

Abstract

Four representative Educational Psychology classes (N =139) were drawn from the fall semester offering of a large Midwestern teachers college. Two additional classes (N = S3) were selected from a small Eastern liberal arts school also training teachers.

At the beginning of the semester, all subjects were administered measures of intrinsic parental acceptance (Ausubel Parent Attitude Rating Scale), manifest anxiety (AT scale of MMPI), attitudes toward teaching (MTAI), attitudes about the value of professional education (SEAS), and authoritarianism (California F Scale). Measures of academic aptitude (ACT, SCAT) and academic achievement (GPA) were secured from the college records. At the end of the same semester, subjects completed a student information sheet and a second measure of their attitudes toward teaching (MTAI).

Significant correlations were obtained between parental acceptance scores and each of the following measures; manifest anxiety, attitudes toward teaching, and attitudes toward professional education. Male overachievers were found to have significantly lower parental acceptance than male underachievers. No significant relationships were found between parental acceptance and attitude shift or authoritarianism.     

Intellectual Ability,Social Desirability,and Differential Teacher Effectiveness

This study investigated the relationship between intellectual ability and differential teacher effectiveness. The relationship between intellectual ability and student ratings of student teachers was considered separately for different types of students. In addition, the Marlowe-Crowne Measure of Social Desirability was used as a moderator variable. The principal findings were: (1) student teachers who were low on intellectual ability measures were rated more favorably by their non-college-bound than by their college-bound students provided they were low on the Marlowe-Crowne and (2) student teachers who were low in intellectual ability and high on the Marlowe-Crowne were rated more favorably by their college-bound than by their non-college-bound students.     

The Relationship of Reading Skills to the Ability to Solve Arithmetic Problems

Abstract

The Allport-Vernon-Lindzey Study of Values was administered to 19 secondary and 19 college history teachers, matched according to sex, subject taught, age, time of graduation, and academic ability. Differences between the two groups were obtained on the aesthetic scale, on which the college teachers scored significantly higher. On the economic scale, the college teachers were lower-but only when the two groups were divided into "younger" and "older" was the difference significant, with the "younger" college teachers significantly lower than the "older" secondary teachers. The "younger" high school teachers tended to score more nearly like the college teachers, but "younger" teachers in both groups scored less like the norms than their "older" colleagues.     

Educational Aims,Ideals, and Activities

Abstract

The effects on student performance and student attitudes of varying the instructional locus of control between students and teachers were investigated. A 2 X 2 factorial design was used that included either teacher regulation or student regulation of 1) the setting of weekly learning goals, and 2) the evaluation of weekly work. After a 4-week period, a mathematics achievement test and a student attitude survey were administered. Results indicated that although teachers set more individual learning goals for students, students who set their own learning goals attained more of them. Students tended to evaluate their work more favorably than teachers, and work evaluations from both teachers and students were higher for students who initially set their own learning goals. In addition, students who were given the opportunity to set their own learning goals reported better goal-setting ability than those for whom goals were externally imposed by the teacher. As predicted, the self-regulated goal setting and evaluation were found to be significantly related to attitudes, but not to mathematics achievement.     

Teacher Evaluation of Student Behavior and School Dropouts

Abstract

An investigation to determine if on the basis of behavioral trait “classroom teacher” could Identify students who would later quit school. Two groups were established from Ss entering: the ninth grade during: a two-year period (N = 96). One group graduated four years later. The second group left school prematurely. Ratings were obtained from 506 teachers on Ss in seven areas of behavior. The findings Indicated that male dropouts were rated significantly less favorably on all criteria when compared with male graduates. Similar findings were obtained with female dropouts and graduates. Teacher evaluations of student behavior were reliable predictors of future school attendance and reflective of pupil adjustment.     

Brooklyn College Research in Teacher Effectiveness

Abstract

Relationships between grade-estimates and class-standing of college students and their ratings of selected instructor-characteristics were determined by chi square analyses of a standard questionnaire completed by 1,975 Ss enrolled in a state university. Students expecting high grades rated their instructors significantly higher than did those expecting low grades. Freshmen viewed grading policies more favorably than did upper-class Ss. Data indicate that instructors might seriously consider reducing the complexity of their classroom presentations for freshmen and, conversely, increasing the sophistication of their pedagogical skills for seniors.     

Social Reinforcement Counseling as an Adjunct to a Course in Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine what effects social reinforcement counseling has on attitudes toward teaching and accuracy of teacher attitude self-estimation held by beginning education students. Teacher attitudes were assessed by the MTAI. Seventy-eight education students at the Ohio State University were randomly divided into three groups that received individual counseling, group counseling, and no counseling for four sessions with social reinforcement as the major technique. The results of the study lend support to conclusions which follow. First, social reinforcement counseling in individual or group setting is more effective for changing attitudes toward teaching, but not effective for increasing students' accuracy of self-estimated teacher attitudes. Second, social reinforcement counseling in groups is as effective as individual counseling for changing MTAI scores of beginning education students.     

Impact of a brief ego depletion procedure on creative behaviour in the upper primary classroom

In the course of normal classroom lessons, 103 students (median 11.10 years) were asked to spend 15 min writing ‘anything you can think of’ about the number 50 on a blank page. The products were independently scored by 2 specialist art teachers and 2 specialist mathematics teachers on criteria relevant to their specialisations. Immediately before this task, however, half the students (depleted group) worked on difficult matching problems for 3 min, whereas controls worked on facile problems. Although volume of creative response appeared only marginally affected, depleted students were rated as lower on overall creativity (d?=?.8) by the arts teachers. The mathematics teachers also rated the depleted students as showing less quality in their work (d?=?.97). The depleted students cited fewer mathematical statements, but displayed more errors in statements they had written. The findings were interpreted in terms of ego depletion effects upon creativity.     

Seeing the students behind the stereotypes: The perspectives of three preservice teachers

Abstract

Stereotypes are a particularly insidious factor in the formation of pre‐and in‐service teachers’ images of students. Teachers who rely on stereotypes rather than try to see the students behind them run the risk of letting cultural and individual biases work to their own disadvantage and to the disadvantage of the next generation of high school students. This article describes a project called Teaching and Learning Together that brings preservice teachers into direct dialogue with high school students with the goal of helping preservice teachers learn to attend to high school students and analyze the pedagogical implications of that attention prior to undertaking teaching responsibilities.     

Relationship between sociometric types and academic achievement in a sample of compulsory secondary education students / Relación entre tipos sociométricos y rendimiento académico en una muestra de estudiantes de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between sociometric types, behavioural categories and academic achievement in a sample of 1,349 compulsory secondary education students (51.7% boys), ranging in age from 12 to 16 years. The students’ sociometric identification was performed by using the Programa Socio and academic performance was measured by school marks provided by teachers in the subjects of Spanish language, mathematics and average academic performance. The results show that sociometric types were significant predictors of academic achievement, as students who were rated positively by their peers (popular, leaders, collaborators and good students) were more likely to have high academic achievement (in mathematics, Spanish language and average academic achievement) than students rated negatively by peers (rejected-aggressive, rejected-shy, neglected and bullies).     

The Measurement of Language: What is Measured and Its Significance

Abstract

Two groups of high school seniors were selected for study. One group had mothers who were college graduates and fathers who had not finished high school. The second group had fathers who were college graduates and mothers who had not finished high school. The Incidence of these patterns of parental education In urban and non-urban populations was noted. Several hypotheses regarding the relationship between ability and school achievement for these groups were tested. Expected differences between these groups of students and their peers were not found. Results suggested that family educational status is more related to plans to attend college than is family economic status. No evidence was found to support the picture of the all-powerful maternal Influence In the American family.     

Academic Optimism and Teacher Education

Abstract

Stereotypes are a particularly insidious factor in the formation of pre‐ and in‐service teachers’ images of students. Teachers who rely on stereotypes rather than try to see the students behind them run the risk of letting cultural and individual biases work to their own disadvantage and to the disadvantage of the next generation of high school students. This article describes a project called Teaching and Learning Together that brings preservice teachers into direct dialogue with high school students with the goal of helping preservice teachers learn to attend to high school students and analyze the pedagogical implications of that attention prior to undertaking teaching responsibilities.     

Study of Extended Opportunity Programs and Services in California Community Colleges

Abstract

A two-phase study of Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) in California Community Colleges, involving comprehensive questionnaire surveys in 93 EOPS-funded colleges and site visits at 12 colleges, reveals that EOPS has proven successful in providing assistance to many who would not otherwise have been able to attend college. However, existing resources are not sufficient to meet the financial needs of many students in the colleges and many more potential students in the communities. The survey concludes that the colleges are successfully balancing the competing demands of financial assistance, to enable students to attend school, and services and assistance, to help students once they get to school.     

Attitude Changes in Teacher Education Students

Abstract

The major purpose of the study was to determine the effect of a teacher education program upon the attitudes of undergraduate students toward children. At the beginning and end of a fall quarter the MTAI was administered to 250 undergraduate teacher education students in the various levels of the professional programs at the University of Denver. Pre-test and post-test scores were compared. Differences were obtained (t = .01 level). Thirty-two students who demonstrated the greatest change in score were interviewed in an effort to determine causes of change. Student attitudes were changed while in the teacher education program by influences within and outside the program.     

Among Those Present

Abstract

Using a multiple-baseline design, investigators examined the effects of an in-service teacher training program on several teaching behaviors of elementary school teachers under both training and post-training conditions. Two non-equivalent control group designs were used to evaluate a principal-classroom-visits package, which was developed to help maintain teachers’ post-training use of the skills. Possible effects of observer presence on the post-training maintenance of the behaviors were examined. The in-service training program successfully produced changes in all of the targeted teaching behaviors. Under post-training conditions, after several weeks in which no observers were present, teachers used the skills at levels comparable to those of teachers who were observed weekly. Several teachers in each group retained use of the skills after training, suggesting that the principal-classroom-visits may be necessary as a maintenance procedure for only some teachers. Both the in-service teacher training program and the principal-classroom-visits were rated very favorably by teachers on evaluation questionnaires.     

Attitude Formation in High-School Seniors: A Study of Values and Attitudes

Abstract

In order to measure attitude changes as a function of studying and as a function of teaching the Minnesota Teacher Attitude Inventory (MTAI) was administered to fifty-two students in an experimental fifth-year graduate program in elementary education. Three test administrations followed the structure of the program: (1) before classes began, (2) after completing the academic program, (3) following a 4 Vi -month internship. During the academic program MTAI scores increase significantly, attitudes become more tolerant and more child-centered. In contrast, attitudes decline during the internship. Frustration in the internship is significantly correlated with a decrease in MTAI scores. Being placed in an inner city school or a school in a lower socio-economic neighborhood is not significantly correlated with a decrease in MTAI scores.     

Differences in student reasoning about belief-relevant arguments: a mixed methods study

This mixed methods study investigated high school students’ evaluations of scientific arguments. Myside bias occurs when individuals evaluate belief-consistent information more favorably than belief-inconsistent information. In the quantitative phase, participants (n?=?72 males) rated belief-consistent arguments more favorably than belief-inconsistent arguments; however, they also rated strong arguments more favorably than weak arguments, which indicated they did not evaluate the arguments exclusively on whether they were belief-consistent. In the follow-up qualitative phase, we conducted interviews with purposefully-sampled students who showed either higher or lower levels of myside bias. Results indicated that students in both groups applied normative evaluation criteria to the arguments. However, students who showed little or no myside bias applied the same evaluation criteria to arguments independent of whether they were belief-consistent, whereas students who showed high levels of myside bias applied different evaluation criteria to belief-inconsistent arguments. These findings suggest that procedural and conceptual metacognition may play a role in the extent to which individuals reason independent of their beliefs.     

Year-long teacher professional development on fifth grade student science outcomes

ABSTRACT

We first examined the effects of a year-long professional development (PD) programme for elementary science teachers on fifth grade student performance on state-mandated science achievement tests of students from a treatment and a comparison group of teachers in the 2009–2010 academic year. Then, we investigated the longer-term impacts by comparing the 2010–2011 student test results of the teachers one year after receiving treatment in 2009–2010 with the students of teachers who received treatment during 2010–2011. Test scores were analysed using a propensity score matching method to examine the relationship between the PD and student achievement. Results showed that even though the treatment teachers were out of the classroom 20% of the school year to attend the PD, there was no difference between their students’ science achievement scores and those of the comparison teachers who were in the classroom every day. This is an important finding because many principals and parents are reluctant to provide teachers with release time for PD. We also determined that students of teachers one year after participating in the PD significantly (p?<?0.001) with a medium effect size (η²?=?.088) outperformed students of teachers who had just completed the programme. This suggests that it takes time for teachers to implement new teaching strategies and that to observe the impact of an intervention programme, it may be important to expand the timeframe of the programme evaluation.     

School‐related social adjustment of Chinese primary school students with specific learning difficulties: A perspective from Hong Kong

Abstract

Studies in several countries have indicated that students with specific learning difficulties (SpLD) tend to exhibit problems in social adjustment in addition to their difficulties in academic learning. It is often recommended that students with SpLD undergo social skills training as well as receive intensive remedial teaching. This study investigated the extent to which school‐related social adjustment problems were evident in a sample of Chinese students of primary school age who had been identified by an educational psychologist as having a specific learning difficulty. Data were collected by questionnaire from 34 students with SpLD (individually interviewed; oral administration), 167 students without learning problems (group administration; written form), and the 34 teachers of the students with SpLD. Results indicated that although the SpLD students rated themselves lower than the students without learning difficulties on several aspects of social adjustment there was no evidence to suggest that they had major problems in this area. The teachers rated the SpLD students lower than the students rated themselves on most aspects of social adjustment, but the ratings given by the teachers suggested that they too did not perceive the students as having major inadequacies in social adjustment. The findings are discussed, with particular reference to the methodological problems associated with the use of self‐reporting as a technique to obtain data in research involving primary school‐age students.     

Parental Involvement as a Protective Factor During the Transition to High School

ABSTRACT

The authors investigated whether student-perceived parental involvement predicts improvement in academic, behavioral, and relational outcomes for low-achieving adolescents. With a sample of 59 racially diverse 9th-grade students, the authors measured 3 dimensions of parental involvement: direct participation, academic encouragement, and expectations for grades and attainment. Analyses revealed associations between 2 types of parental involvement and outcomes, which held after considering student gender and race. Students whose parents had higher expectations about grades and attainment had higher grade point averages and were rated as more academically engaged by their teachers. Students who reported that their parents were more academically encouraging experienced more care from their teachers. Results suggest certain types of parental involvement may be more effective than others in supporting low-achieving adolescents’ school performance.