GENDER DIFFERENCES IN ACHIEVEMENT IN A LARGE,NATIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

The purpose of this study was to investigate developmental gender differences in academic achievement areas, with the primary focus on writing, using the child and adolescent portion (ages 6–21 years) of the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement—Second Edition, Brief Form, norming sample (N = 1,574). Path analytic models with gender, parent education, age, age², and gender‐by‐age moderation as predictors of reading, writing, and math were used to test for gender differences and for the influence of development on these differences. A small but consistent advantage was identified for females in reading. No gender differences were detected in math. The most important results of the present study pertain to a gender gap in writing in favor of females that increased as a function of age. Male students are at greater risk for writing failure than are females.     

Promoting social and academic competence in the classroom: An intervention study examining the contribution of the Responsive Classroom approach

This exploratory study examined the contribution of the RC Approach over a two‐year period. The RC Approach integrates social and academic learning in order to produce classroom environments that are conducive to learning by integrating social and academic learning. Two questions are addressed. First, how does teachers' use of RC practices contribute to children's academic and social growth? Second, how is the relation between teachers' use of RC practices and children's academic and social growth moderated by the presence of environmental adversity in the home? Participants included 62 teachers and 157 children at six schools. Findings showed that teachers' use of RC practices was associated with students' improved reading achievement, greater closeness between teachers and children, better pro‐social skills, more assertiveness, and less fearfulness, even after controlling for family risk and children's previous years' performance. Family risk did not moderate the relation between RC practices and children's performance. These findings suggest to the positive contribution of the RC Approach in relation to children's gains over a one‐year period. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 44: 397–413, 2007.     

Women and Nature: Using memory-work to rethink our relationship to the natural world

Memory-work is a feminist research methodology that is used by research collectives to study socialization within the dominant values that make up a particular culture. The power of memory-work lies with its potential to interrupt hegemonic ways of seeing and knowing the world. Consequently, it can open up possibilities for individual and social transformation. Intrigued by memory-work, the authors of this article formed a research collective and studied their socialization in relation to the natural world. We examined our early memories of trees and the natural elements earth, air, fire, and water. Initial analysis of these memories showed predictable and gendered patterns of socialization reflecting dominant values in relation to nature. For example, fathers defined many of our experiences in the natural world and taught us that nature was separate from the human realm and subject to control. Additional analysis of the memories moved us below this layer of socialization. We found sensual connection with the elements and discovered the influence of our mothers.     

Visions and missions: Are they useful? A quick assessment

Where is an organization heading and why is it going there are vital questions and yet they are largely ignored or assumed. When they are considered, rarely does the process recognize the answers to these questions as forms of objectives. We explore the “ideal vision” that all organizations should share and the process for constructing and aligning the organizational mission to meaningfully guide performance and measurably add value to our shared society in concert with advancement of organizational self‐interest. We conclude with an eight‐point inspection for useful visions and missions.     

Effects of Football Equipment on Thermal Balance and Energy Cost during Exercise

Abstract

Central core temperature, energy cost and pulmonary ventilation, heart rate, and sweat loss were measured on 5 football players while exercising on a motor driven treadmill at 6 mph for 20 min. Comparisons were made while subjects wore a football uniform and a hospital scrub suit. Core temperature was measured by a rectal thermistor inserted 4 in. into the rectum, energy cost and pulmonary ventilation by open circuit spirometry, heart rate by telemetry, and sweat loss by pre- and postexercise weight changes.

Core temperature, sweat loss, and peak exercise and end recovery heart rates while running in the uniform were significantly elevated compared to the scrub suit controls. Energy cost and pulmonary ventilation were greater (not significant) in the uniform primarily because of the added weight and, to a lesser degree, the reduction in available evaporative surface area.