The relationship between parental involvement,self-regulated learning,and reading achievement of fifth graders: a path analysis using the ECLS-K database

This study examined the relationship between parental involvement, self-regulated learning (SRL), and reading achievement through analyzing the fifth grade data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998–1999 (ECLS-K). The results identified six dimensions of parental involvement that are likely to foster SRL of fifth graders: School Involvement, TV Rules, Homework Help, Homework Frequency, Parental Education Expectations, and Extracurricular Activities. Of these three dimensions, Parental Education Expectations, School Involvement, and Homework Help, were found to have stronger effects on SRL; Parental Education Expectations was found to have the strongest beneficial effect on SRL. The results also suggest that SRL mediates the relationship between parental involvement and reading achievement. These results provide a framework for parents to help their children develop SRL skills and guide educators and school administrators as they intend to increase parental involvement and its effectiveness.     

Race differences in stress-induced reactivity in young adults

The cardiovascular response to the stress of mental arithmetic was studied in young Black and White adults. Stress-induced reactivity was studied before and following 14 days of oral sodium loading (10 gm NaCl per day). Marginal hypertensives, both Black and White, had greater systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels (p less than 0.001) and greater diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels (p less than 0.01) in response to stress. Whites had a greater SBP level during mental stress than Blacks (p = 0.008) and greater reactivity (change from baseline; p less than 0.001). The prevalence of sodium sensitivity was greater in Blacks (37.3%) than in Whites (18.4%). Sodium loading did not augment the BP reactivity to the mental stress in any of the racial or BP groups. These data demonstrate racial variation in the cardiovascular response to centrally mediated adrenergic stimuli. The results also suggest that mild BP elevation in Blacks may be regulated through changes in vascular resistance.