Assessed the impact of noise on attentional strategies, learned helplessness, performance on cognitive tasks, and blood pressure. Third and 4th graders were tested on the same measures twice, with a 1-yr interval between sessions. Longitudinal data were used to determine whether Ss adapted to aircraft noise over the 1-yr period and to assess the effectiveness of noise abatement interventions introduced in a number of noise-impacted classrooms. Additional cross-sectional data are presented to provide further information on the utility of noise abatement. In general, there was little evidence for adaptation to noise over the 1-yr period. Noise abatement had small ameliorative effects on cognitive performance, Ss' ability to hear their teachers, and school achievement. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1981 American Psychological Association.