The negative societal or school-delivered messages that students can receive in relation to their race, ethnicity, gender or gender identity, language, immigration status, disability, age, or any other feature that is associated with social stigma can trigger social identity or stereotype threat. Such threat occurs when people feel they are at…

"Psychoeducational Assessment of Preschool Children," Fifth Edition, provides academics and school-based practitioners such as psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and social workers with an up-to-date guide to the assessment of young children. Long recognized as the standard text and reference in its field, this comprehensive,…

Whole-school or whole-class programs designed to promote positive behavior can enhance the likelihood that effective teaching and learning occur for all students. This practice guide is intended to help elementary education educators, as well as school and district administrators and parents, implement and support effective prevention-focused…

Environment is an essential area of attention for practitioners who support young children with disabilities and their families. Decisions about the environment impact the quality of care and education for young children with disabilities showing measurable influence on expected outcomes. Environment impacts true access, quality participation, and…

The central and distinguishing thesis of social and cultural perspectives on outcome equity is that public school classrooms are culturally biased environments. Such environments disaffect children who arrive at school from the economic or cultural margin. The "formative learning environment" (FoLE) establishes and sustains legitimate…

This article uses a question-and-answer format to provide early childhood educators with specific strategies for organizing both the physical classroom environment and the instructional environment to prevent problem behaviors such as running, fighting, getting distracted, or difficulty with transitions. Sample classroom layouts, a sample daily…

Twenty suggestions for building community and empowering students stress the role of community in facilitating inclusion, influence, and openness. Suggestions include mapping the community, finding common threads, conducting community interviews, matching compelling literature with student characteristics, conducting classroom meetings, providing…

School and classroom climate is often cited in effective schools research as being important for student achievement. This consumer guide is intended to help educators evaluate their own educational climate by providing reviews and descriptions of the major tests and surveys used to assess climate. Section 2 presents reasons for examining school…

To audit school climate requires sound comprehensive planning and should include assessment of the climate dimensions of human satisfaction and human productivity. (Author/JM)

The paper examines the application of ecobehavioral analysis to the study of transitions between special preschool and regular kindergarten settings. Two measures for evaluating ecobehavioral interactions are described: Ecobehavioral System for the Complex Assessment of Preschool Environments (ESCAPE) and Assessment Code/Checklist for Evaluating…

This videotape series and viewing guide is designed to complement the book "In the Company of Children." Each videotape includes four brief, real-life classroom segments that illustrate different aspects of workshop instruction. The guide will help teachers link readings from the book with different segments from the videotapes,…

Several research studies indicate that an enriched school climate contributes to increased productivity and satisfaction as evidenced by higher academic achievement, better student behavior, and improved student and staff morale. This monograph aims to provide a conceptual definition and overview of the variables comprising school climate and to…

Describes interventions used to enhance coping and stress management to children and adolescents. Argues that the model of stress upon which the intervention is based dictates the intervention. Implications are discussed of the acceptance of an extended Lazarus/Folkman model for interventions in schools. (CFR)

This document offers perspectives on the concepts of environment and order related to the classroom setting. Environment is explained as the physical milieu, action structure, and the fit between these phenomena. Order can refer to the system being "in order" or to the participants being on task. Examples are presented of relationships…

The paper challenges teachers to creatively use current educational reforms and challenges reformers to consider seven questions concerning the effect of proposed reforms on the emotional atmosphere of schools, student attitudes toward learning, student feelings toward self, teachers' creativity, student needs, and nonmainstream students. (DB)