MENTOR's cornerstone publication, the "Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring[TM]", details research-informed and practitioner-approved Standards for creating and sustaining quality youth mentoring programs and consequently, impactful mentoring relationships. This Fourth Edition, released in 2015, reflects the most up-to-date…

It is suggested that the most desirable approach to combatting the smoking problem is to prevent youngsters from beginning to smoke, rather than prescribing treatment for them after they have become steady smokers. A program, which uses peer models, is described in this paper. (Author/KC)

This paper reviews research on the effects of separation or divorce on children and adolescents, and describes a structured small group counseling program for school counselors working with adolescents from changing families. The stated goals of the group program are as follows: (1) to clarify participants' feelings toward divorce; (2) to help the…

This book is written for school staff, parents, and others interested in confronting and reversing the use of drugs by developing children. The book is presented in two parts, "The Concept," and "A Story.""The Concept" presents a program blueprint for schools which either are starting a drug education program or augmenting an existing one.…

This booklet for pupil personnel services (PPS) professionals describes five selected exemplary PPS district programs in Illinois (Bloomington District 87, Dundee Community Unit School District 300, Lake Park Community School District 108, Lyons Township High School District 204, and Warren Township High School District 121) as well as the…

Following a statement of the problem of putting aging education in the elementary secondary curriculum, and a review of the relevant literature, a model for developing a curriculum on aging is presented. An overview of the 3-year project, developed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana schools for grades K-12, is offered, including activities and yearly…

This newsletter issue discusses the results of a survey of 242 Family and Youth Service Bureau agencies that investigated the number of youth (ages 16-21) with disabilities served, and the incidence of and response to youth who did not have an identified disability, but whom staff may have suspected had an underlying learning, emotional, or other…

This monograph offers middle grades educators recommendations for increasing the involvement of family members in school-related programs and activities. Introductory material describes the earlier work of the National Middle School Association in fostering parent involvement. Next, the monograph describes reasons for encouraging such involvement,…

The provision of respite services for families with adolescents who are at risk of abusing or neglecting the young person is discussed, with attention to program design, services to parents, and services to adolescents. Respite programs can provide an important resource for families that lack sufficient supports to deal with the difficult period…

This monograph notes that while all aspects of the middle level education program contribute to students' personal development, the core of the effort lies in the counseling and guidance program. It cites literature suggesting that the program should consist of counseling, guidance curriculum, and advisement. Definitions for each of these three…

Suggests strategies for assessment, design, implementation, and evaluation of substance abuse prevention programs with American Indian youth. Illustrates use of each strategy with examples from drug abuse prevention activities in Northwest Indian communities. (JHZ)

This monograph offers suggestions to teachers and administrators for involving parents in middle school programs. It outlines the reasons for encouraging such involvement, identifies some of the roles parents may play, and delineates the steps to be taken in establishing a program that taps the time and talents of parents and other adults.…

Nationwide attention to the problems of teenage pregnancy and suicide, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, dropping out of school, and other conditions is resulting in a proliferation of primary prevention programs, projects, and activities. In too many communities, however, the growth of…

A model of service learning that can serve as a vehicle for teaching, research, and community service is suggested to college faculty. Two such projects are described: a project providing parent education to young families while researching effectiveness of temperament education, and an intergenerational program to determine whether community…

In recognition of the importance of effective advisory programs at the middle school level, this monograph provides specific suggestions for organizing and sustaining a teacher advisory program and presents sample activities to assist program implementation. Following introductory remarks, the first section reviews aspects of early adolescent…