Retest reliabilities of ten scales of public speaking performance

On two different occasions twelve judges rated each of 30 short filmed speeches on each of 10 scales of speaking performance. The retest reliability of each judge on each scale was calculated. Median retest reliability of the twelve judges was highly correlated with years of training and experience in the teaching of speech. There was a tendency for global characteristics to be rated more reliably than specific observable characteristics.     

Towards a model for research on the effects of school organizational health factors on primary school performance in Trinidad & Tobago

This article presents a model for research on the effects of school organizational heath factors on primary school academic achievement in Trinidad and Tobago. The model can be applicable for evaluating schools in other developing countries. As proposed, the model hypothesizes relationships between external factors (exogenous variables), school-level factors (endogenous variables), and school outcomes (student achievement and positive school climate). The endogenous variables are sub-scales of school organizational health. They include principal leadership, psycho-social environment, school–home–community relationships, teacher characteristics, curriculum quality, and school culture. These subscales are partially influenced by the Organizational Health Inventory OHI (Hoy and Feldman, 1987) and by school health indices set forth by the World Health Organization (1996). It is hoped that this school organizational health model can provide a conceptual tool for formulating a more comprehensive measure of healthy schools.     

America in the Eyes of Chinese Students

This article relates the experiences of a seasoned teacher education professor who returned to the elementary classroom, where the students and his colleagues illustrated the complexities of teaching and learning. The year in second grade is analyzed using Moir's phases of first-year teaching. The analysis uncovers important ideas relevant for clinically based teacher education programs, including how relationships must be negotiated to successfully build learning communities.     

Changes in race and sex stereotype threat among diverse STEM students: Relation to grades and retention in the majors

In laboratory studies, induced stereotype threat shows negative effects on academic performance and learning. Is the relation between stereotype threat and grades robust in naturalistic settings, specifically in introductory STEM courses? We gathered data on two new measures we term race and sex stereotype bias, which were administered four times over the course of introductory chemistry and biology courses for STEM majors (N = 1358). Patterns of growth for all stereotype bias measures showed a discontinuous pattern, with increases during each semester (fall and spring) and decreases between semesters. For all stereotype bias measures, sophomores scored significantly higher than freshmen, and juniors scored in between. For the sex stereotype bias measure, females scored significantly higher than males. There were no race or sex differences on slopes of growth; though groups began at different levels, all grew at the same rate. There was little relation between grades and stereotype bias when analyzed by race; Asian students showed the largest number of significant – albeit small – correlations (3) and Black students the fewest (none). Correlations between grades and sex stereotype bias were significant and negative – but small – only for males. Results support a point made by Steele in 1997 but neglected since then; stereotype threat may affect only a small sub-portion within stereotyped groups. We argue that variables other than stereotype threat might be better targets for research attempting to explain gaps in STEM achievement and retention.     

怀念亡妻

像众多在一起生活了大半辈子的老夫妇一样,老亨利·瑞弗斯内德和他的妻子菲比多年来一直相濡以沫,彼此深爱着对方。作为一对简单而又淳朴的农民夫妻,他们生活的世界里也简单得只有水果树、庄稼地、农家小院和院子里养的那些猪和鸡群。除此之外的世界便离他们很遥远了——远得像天上的星星一样缥缈而遥不可及.     

小女孩

在教堂的一扇窗下长满绿草的坟堆上,坐着一个小女孩？她仰着头,望着天空,唱着歌儿。她的小手指点着一朵漂浮在她头顶的金色羽毛般的小彩云、突然间,阳光显得格外灿烂,照在她光泽的头发上,给它涂上一层金属般的光彩;很难说出它究竟是什么颜色,深褐色,还是黑色。她是那么全神贯注地望着彩云,她那奇妙的歌声,或可说是喃喃自语,似乎是对着那彩云而发的．因而她没有注意到我站起身来朝她走过去．上空高高的蓝天里,一只展翅飞向那朵轻盈透明的彩云的云雀也在歌唱,似乎在同她赛歌。