This study investigated children's self-perceptions, teacher expectations, and actual reading achievement in 58 first-grade and 61 second-grade students. Children rated their cognitive competence using the Harter's Self-Perception scale, teachers rated the students' cognitive competence using a scale equivalent to the child form, and reading achievement was measured using DIBELS. Correlations revealed significant positive relationships with self-perception and reading achievement. Positive correlations between teacher expectations and reading achievement were found. There were no significant differences in reading achievement based on gender.
This study examined teachers' and students perceptions' of factors that influence high reading achievement among African American students. Two elementary schools from southeastern Pennsylvania in the same school district participated in the study. The study analyzed the responses of two elementary reading teachers and thirty-four students. Four instruments were utilized in gathering data for this study: (a) the Teacher Likert Survey and the Teacher Interview provided data about teachers' perception of factors that influence reading achievement, (b) the Student Questionnaire provided data about the students' perception of the factors that influence reading achievement, and (c) Classroom Observation provided data that compared the teaching strategies and methods of each teacher that influenced students to achieve in reading. Responses to the instruments indicated that self-concept, home environment, teacher/student relationship, and teacher expectation and motivation represented the factors that influence the achievement of students in reading. The data revealed that if students possess a high level of self-esteem, then they would have similar perceptions concerning their schoolwork. Although some research has indicated that the socio-economic status of a student is a strong predictor of student achievement, this study revealed that in spite of the economic status of a student certain factors such as the student's self-concept, his or her home environment, and the teacher's instructional strategies are also key factors in predicting student achievement.
Originally published in 1984, the field of research on teaching had expanded dramatically in the 15 years covered by this bibliography, 1965 to 1980. The expansion had included studies conducted for many purposes. This bibliography contains relevant citations to the research which has been conducted for the purposes of increasing our understanding of the science, art and craft of teaching. The existence of research publications has been documented with relevant reference information and brief annotations; there has been no attempt to evaluate the quality of the studies. A brief perusal of the bibliography provides an indication of the range of topics addressed by these studies and also of the variety of studies within a single topic.
" The test score gap between blacks and whites—on vocabulary, reading, and math tests, as well as on tests that claim to measure scholastic aptitude and intelligence--is large enough to have far-reaching social and economic consequences. In their introduction to this book, Christopher Jencks and Meredith Phillips argue that eliminating the disparity would dramatically reduce economic and educational inequality between blacks and whites. Indeed, they think that closing the gap would do more to promote racial equality than any other strategy now under serious discussion. The book offers a comprehensive look at the factors that contribute to the test score gap and discusses options for substantially reducing it. Although significant attempts have been made over the past three decades to shrink the test score gap, including increased funding for predominantly black schools, desegregation of southern schools, and programs to alleviate poverty, the median black American still scores below 75 percent of American whites on most standardized tests. The book brings together recent evidence on some of the most controversial and puzzling aspects of the test score debate, including the role of test bias, heredity, and family background. It also looks at how and why the gap has changed over the past generation, reviews the educational, psychological, and cultural explanations for the gap, and analyzes its educational and economic consequences. The authors demonstrate that traditional explanations account for only a small part of the black-white test score gap. They argue that this is partly because traditional explanations have put too much emphasis on racial disparities in economic resources, both in homes and in schools, and on demographic factors like family structure. They say that successful theories will put more emphasis on psychological and cultural factors, such as the way black and white parents teach their children to deal with things they do not know or understand, and the way black and white children respond to the same classroom experiences. Finally, they call for large-scale experiments to determine the effects of schools' racial mix, class size, ability grouping, and other policies. In addition to the editors, the contributors include Claude Steele, Ronald Ferguson, William G. Bowen, Philip Cook, and William Julius Wilson. "
Children spend more time in school than in any social institution outside the home. And schools probably exert more influence on children’s development and life chances than any environment beyond the home and neighbourhood. The purpose of this book is to document some important ways schools influence children’s development and to describe various models and methods for studying schooling effects. Key features include: Comprehensive Coverage – this is the first book to provide a comprehensive review of what is known about schools as a context for human development. Topical coverage ranges from theoretical foundations to investigative methodologies and from classroom-level influences such as teacher-student relations to broader influences such as school organization and educational policies. Cross-Disciplinary – this volume brings together the divergent perspectives, methods and findings of scholars from a variety of disciplines, among them educational psychology, developmental psychology, school psychology, social psychology, psychiatry, sociology, and educational policy. Chapter Structure – to ensure continuity, chapter authors describe 1) how schooling influences are conceptualized 2) identify their theoretical and methodological approaches 3) discuss the strengths and weaknesses of existing research and 4) highlight implications for future research, practice, and policy. Methodologies – chapters included in the text feature various methodologies including longitudinal studies, hierarchical linear models, experimental and quasi-experimental designs, and mixed methods.
“She has a funny way of looking at you,” a fourth-grader told Rhona Weinstein about his teacher. “She gets that look and says ‘I am very disappointed in you.’ I hate it when she does that. It makes me feel like I’m stupid. Just crazy, stupid, dumb.” Even young children know what adults think of them. All too often, they live down to expectations, as well as up to them. This book is about the context in which expectations play themselves out. Drawing upon a generation of research on self-fulfilling prophecies in education, including the author’s own extensive fieldwork in schools, Reaching Higher argues that our expectations of children are often too low. With compelling case studies, Weinstein shows that children typed early as “not very smart” can go on to accomplish far more than is expected of them by an educational system with too narrow a definition of ability and the way abilities should be nurtured. Weinstein faults the system, pointing out that teachers themselves are harnessed by policies that do not enable them to reach higher for all children. Her analysis takes us beyond current reforms that focus on accountability for test results. With rich descriptions of effective classrooms and schools, Weinstein makes a case for a changed system that will make the most of every child and enable students and teachers to engage more meaningfully in learning.
