Coaching for the SAT: A Summary of the Summaries and an Update

Why is it important to investigate the effectiveness of coaching for a test such as the SAT? How can you evaluate the effectiveness of coaching? What are some common misconceptions? What do we know and what is still unclear about the effects of coaching? What can we tell students and their families about the results of coaching studies ?     

Associations between reasons to attend and late high school dropout

This study addressed (1) whether there were unique profiles of student self-reported reasons for attending school among 10th graders, (2) whether these profiles were differentially associated with late high-school dropout, and (3) whether parent characteristics differed across profiles. Using data from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 (N = 15,362), five latent classes were found. The first class (49%) reported intrinsic, identified/introjected, and external motivations for attending school. The second class (32%) attended for identified/introjected and external reasons, while the third class (11%) reported intrinsic and identified/introjected reasons. The final two classes reported only identified/introjected (5%) or external (4%) motivations. Individuals in the identified/introjected and external classes were at greatest risk of dropping out between 10th and 12th grade. A host of parenting characteristics differed across class, with students in the intrinsic-identified/introjected-external class displaying the most favorable pattern of results. Implications for dropout prevention and academic promotion programs are discussed.     

Second-career teachers: Perceptions and mission in their new careers

This article explores why middle-aged individuals in Spokane, Washington, USA, left successful careers and entered the field of education and reveals their perceptions of the field of teaching. After a number of years in occupations that were successful and well-respected and offered considerably more salary, these mid-life career transitioners started a new career that they considered a 'vocation.' Three separate interviews each were conducted with seven second-career teachers and the themes and perceptions of these individuals which emerged are presented. The themes and perceptions discussed in this article are: life-changing events which prompted the participants to change careers; the differences and similarities noted between past careers and teaching; the challenges faced by the second-career teachers (students and administrators); and the common personal mission of all participants. The article also offers insights on how administrators can help these second-career teachers fit into the field of education by understanding their unique needs and abilities.     

The effects of gender and consequence upon perceptions of deceivers

This study examines the impact of gender combinations and consequences of deceptive acts upon perceptions held by uninvolved third party observers. Perceptions examined in this initial study were observer attitudes toward a specific act of deception and the deceiver's credibility and personal qualities. Results indicate the existence of both a gender effect and a consequence effect. Under certain conditions, females appear to be more sensitive to relational deception than males and report more negative attitudes and perceptions of the deceiver's character, competence, and sociability. The consequence for the target impacted both observer attitude toward the specific act of deception and perceptions of deceiver credibility. Paradigmatic research should be designed to yield additional information.     

Physiological and Anatomical Characteristics Of Outstanding Female Junior Tennis Players

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological adaptations of resistance training (RT) in prepubertal boys. Methods: Eighteen healthy boys were divided into RT (n = 9, M_age = 10.4 ± 0.5 years) and control (CTR; n = 9, M_age = 10.9 ± 0.7 years) groups. The RT group underwent a resistance training during 12 weeks, 3 times per week, performing 3 sets of 6 to 15 repetitions at intensities ranging from 60% to 80% of maximal dynamic strength (1-repetition maximum [1-RM] values). Before and after the training, the groups were assessed in their body mass and composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), isokinetic dynamometry, 1-RM, and ergoespirometry. Moreover, force per unit of muscle volume was calculated by the quotient between 1-RM and lean mass. Results: Both groups presented statistically significant (p < .05) increases in the 1-RM and force per unit of muscle volume in the knee extension and elbow flexion, but these strength increases were statistically significantly greater in the RT group (effect size [ES] = 2.83–9.00) than in the CTR group (ES = 0.72–1.00). Moreover, both groups statistically significantly increased in lean body mass variables (ES = 0.12–0.38). However, increases in the fat mass variables occurred only in the CTR group (ES = ? 0.01–0.50), whereas no changes were observed in the RT group. Furthermore, there were statistically significant increases in all bone mineral content variables (ES = 0.13–0.43), without differences between groups. No cardiorespiratory changes were observed. Conclusion: Twelve weeks of RT was effective in improving strength and force per unit of muscle volume and prevented fat mass increases in boys.     

Equestrian

Sagittal plane SVHS video recordings (50 Hz) were made of horses jumping the wall at an international Puissance competition. Video sequences were manually digitized and six kinematic variables at take‐off were analyzed. Nine horses started the competition with the fence height at 1.80 m, and two horses attempted the fence in the fifth and final round with the fence height at 2.27 m. For successful performances, fence height was correlated with the following take‐off variables: vertical velocity of the centre of mass (r = 0.45, p = 0.03); height of centre of mass (r = 0.44, p = 0.04); distance of centre of mass from fence (r = 0.46, p = 0.03); and distance from leading hind limb to centre of mass (r = ‐0.61, p < 0.01). These results indicated that body position at take‐off is the most important aspect when jumping high fences. This is the first known study that has examined horses jumping over a Puissance wall. The results should help horse riders and trainers improve performance in Puissance jumping horses, and perhaps help in the early selection of horses with a talent for jumping high fences.     

Counseling the chronically ill youth and their families

International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling -