Teacher influence persists in early grades

ScienceDaily (July 29, 2011) — Having consistently good teachers in elementary school appears to be as important for student achievement as small class sizes, according to new research by a Michigan State University education scholar.

The study by Spyros Konstantopoulos found that, starting in kindergarten, teachers can significantly affect students' reading and math scores in later grades. The study, which appears in the research journal Teachers College Record, is one of the first scientific experiments to find that teachers can affect student achievement over time in the crucial early grades.

"The findings suggest teacher effects do not fade, but remain strong predictors of student achievement," said Konstantopoulos, associate professor of education.

The study highlights the importance of identifying and hiring effective teachers in the early grades and implementing interventions such as professional development to improve teacher effectiveness, Konstantopoulos said.

"Of course we should have the best teachers we can in all grades," he said. "But if you have to prioritize resources, perhaps the earlier school years make the most sense because this is where students receive most of the basic skills for reading and math."

Konstantopoulos analyzed reading and math scores on standardized tests for several thousand students in kindergarten through third grade involved in the landmark Student Teacher Achievement Ratio study (known as Project STAR), in Tennessee. He found that teachers in all four grades can have a significant effect on student achievement, independent of the other teachers.

That means, for example, that a kindergarten teacher can have significant, measurable effect on a third-grader's math and reading scores. Previously it wasn't clear what effect teachers in previous grades might have on that third-grader's achievement, Konstantopoulos said.

Project STAR was the first major study of the effects of class size on student learning. In his study, Konstantopoulos said he was surprised to discover that teacher effects over time appear to be as important for student achievement as the cumulative effects of small class sizes.

The teacher effects were more pronounced in reading than in math. This makes sense, Konstantopoulos said, because "teachers in kindergarten and even first grade typically see their role as that of a reading teacher, not necessarily a mathematics teacher."

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The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by Michigan State University.

Journal Reference:

Spyros Konstantopoulos. Teacher Effects in Early Grades: Evidence From a Randomized Study. Teachers College Record, 2011; 113 (7) [link]

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Gender differences in risk pathways for adolescent substance abuse and early adult alcoholism

ScienceDaily (June 11, 2011) — Clinically ascertained reports suggest that boys and girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may differ from each other in their vulnerability to substance use problems, say the researchers of the University of Helsinki and University of Jyväskylä, Finland.

A total of 1545 Finnish adolescents were assessed for DSM-IV-based ADHD symptoms by their parents and classroom teachers using standardized rating scales at age 11-12 years. At age 14, substance use disorders and psychiatric co-morbidity were assessed with the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism, providing DSM-III-R/DSM-IV diagnoses for Axis I disorders. At age 17.5, substance use was assessed by multi-item questionnaire.

Baseline ADHD symptoms were less common among girls than boys, but among girls they were more predictive of adverse substance use outcomes once conduct disorder and previous substance use were controlled for. Only in females were baseline ADHD symptoms significant predictors of alcohol abuse and dependence and illicit drug use at age 14. At the age of 17.5, parents' reports of inattentiveness and hyperactivity were significant predictors for frequent alcohol use in both sexes, but they were more predictive of frequent alcohol and illicit drug use in girls.

Impulsivity in teachers' ratings predicted frequent alcohol use and illicit drug use in boys. Parental reports of inattentiveness in their 11-/12-year-old daughters were a consistent predictor for illicit drug use across adolescence.

"Inattentiveness and hyperactivity may be more predictive of alcohol use disorders and maladaptive patterns of alcohol and illicit drug use among girls than boys," says psychiatrist, Dr. Elina Sihvola.

"The importance of these behavioural symptoms should be assessed further in the community, as they could jeopardize adolescents' successful transitioning into adult roles," she adds.

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The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by University of Helsinki, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

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Great public desire to seek early diagnosis of Alzheimer's, according to survey

ScienceDaily (July 20, 2011) — Results of an international survey reveal that over 85% of respondents in the five countries surveyed say that if they were exhibiting confusion and memory loss, they would want to see a doctor to determine if the cause of the symptoms was Alzheimer's disease. Over 94% would want the same if a family member were exhibiting the symptoms. The findings were presented July 20 at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2011 (AAIC 2011).

The survey of the U.S. and four European countries -- France, Germany, Spain and Poland -- was designed and analysed by Alzheimer Europe and the Harvard School of Public Health.

In four of the five countries, Alzheimer's disease was the second biggest health fear after cancer. The public were asked to choose which disease they were most afraid of getting from a list of seven diseases including cancer, heart disease and stroke. Around a quarter of adults in four of the five countries say they most fear getting Alzheimer's disease.

Fear of Alzheimer's gets worse with age, but even young adults are concerned, with approximately one in seven 18- to 34-year-olds reporting Alzheimer's as the disease they are most afraid of getting from the list provided.

The survey found a large proportion of the public has had some experience with Alzheimer's disease. Majorities in all five countries say that they know or have known someone with Alzheimer's disease, including about seven in ten in France (72%), Germany (73%), Spain (77%), and in the U.S. (73%), and 54% in Poland. In addition, about three in ten have personal experience with a family member with Alzheimer's disease. Experience with a family member ranges from 19% in Poland to 42% in the U.S.

This high level of contact with Alzheimer's disease is likely to have contributed to the wide recognition of common symptoms such as confusion and getting lost, which were recognised by at least 86% and 88%,respectively.

Few people recognised the severity of Alzheimer's disease with approximately 40% knowing that it is a fatal condition (33-61%). In fact, Alzheimer's is the seventh-leading cause of death in high income countries and the only cause of death among the top 10 that cannot be prevented or cured.

Many of the respondents believe there is now an effective medical or pharmaceutical treatment to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and make the symptoms less severe (27%-63%). Also, nearly half believe there is a reliable medical test to determine if a person suffering from confusion and memory loss is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (38%-59%).

The survey also found public interest in predictive testing. Approximately two thirds of respondents said that, they would get a medical test which would tell them whether they would get Alzheimer's disease before they had symptoms.

Heike von Lützau-Hohlbein, Chairperson of Alzheimer Europe, said: "The results demonstrate the importance of being honest with patients when diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. As a former carer myself, I recognise how valuable it is for people to have first-of-all a name for all the uncertainties of their condition and then have the time to get their affairs in order. It will always be difficult to receive such a diagnosis but doctors need to empower patients and their loved ones to take the appropriate steps. The findings also show there is high awareness of Alzheimer's disease, which is a testament to the success of the many awareness campaigns coordinated by Alzheimer societies."

Dr. Robert Blendon, Professor of Health Policy and Political Analysis from the Harvard School of Public Health said: "Many of the public have high expectations about the possibilities of treatment alternatives and medical testing. It is important for doctors to talk to patients about what treatment and testing options are or are not available."

Florence Lustman, Coordinator of the French Alzheimer Plan, said: "Alzheimer's is a fatal condition that affects most people's lives at some time. One of the key priorities of the French Alzheimer's Plan is early diagnosis, and the survey results support this focus. The findings demonstrate overwhelming public support for receiving diagnosis."

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The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by Harvard School of Public Health.

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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

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