Intended for personnel without specific training in counseling and guidance, the booklet addresses considerations in counseling gifted students. In "Issues in Affective Development of the Gifted," L. Silverman examines perceptions of others and of one's self, the effects of lack of recognition of students' special needs, and the tendency toward…

This fact sheet presents teenage suicide as a reaction to stress in adolescence compounded by increasing stress in the environment. It can also be examined as part of a three-step process: a previous history of problems, problems associated with adolescence, and a precipitating event. Contrary to popular belief, suicide is not an impulsive act but…

This ERIC Digest explores factors that affect creativity in children and techniques for fostering this quality. The need to study creativity and the definition of creativity within a developmental framework are also discussed. Six ways adults can encourage children's creativity are listed. It is pointed out that adults can encourage creativity by…

The involvement of parents in the education of their children is briefly discussed. Discussion focuses on ways to involve parents, ways to reach parents, and difficulties in involving parents. It is asserted that the suggestions offered in this ERIC Digest can help teachers involve parents who might not otherwise be involved. While an individual…

One of the most threatening events that causes anxiety in students today is testing. When students develop an extreme fear of performing poorly on an examination, they experience test anxiety. Test anxiety is a major factor contributing to a variety of negative outcomes including psychological distress, academic underachievement, academic failure,…

Efforts to fight drug abuse must occur in the schools, as well as in homes and the community, since schools provide one major influence in transmitting values, standards, and information to children. This digest discusses the extent of drug abuse among youth, why drug abuse occurs, the effects of drug abuse, what schools can do to combat the…

Reviews the literature on classroom structure and student and teacher behavior. Argues that genuine invitations for students to think what they want and to share what they think about classroom content will soon lead to individual and small group inquiries that enrich unit themes and subject matter. (RS)

At a time of widespread public cynicism about social institutions, America's community colleges are striving to reconnect with the communities they serve and function as catalysts for community renewal. In a recent national survey, about a third of the colleges questioned had formalized service learning in their course work, and nearly half…

This paper prescribes methods by which educators may move multicultural education from its primary "product" stage (emphasizing learning materials and similar artifacts) to a more sophisticated "process" stage (demonstrating a more authentic approach consistent with the purposes of democratic public education). Part I discusses the rationale of…

This paper is designed to clarify the concept of the family-career connection, defined as the interrelationships of family and career roles. The connection is illustrated in a model that includes the components of aspects of the family, aspects of careers, family functions, trends, and career development interventions. The family-career connection…

This digest summarizes information on the roles of the Federal Government, the family, and teachers in preparing young children with disabilities for school. Noted are relevant provisions of Public Law 99-457, the 1986 Amendments to the Education of the Handicapped Act (Part B), including development of Individualized Family Service Plans to aid…

A definition and rationale for full equity under Title IX legislation in terms of outcomes for students and benefits for school districts are given in this article. The relationship of compliance to equity is explored through an analysis of short-term and long-term costs and benefits for students and schools in both minimal and maximal equity…

This digest examines the basic tenets of Self-Directed Learning (SDL) and discusses the findings of recently conducted research which are germane to SDL's application in K-12 classrooms. Self-directed learning has its roots in adult education and has been investigated and discussed for many years. The digest surveys the literature to identify…

This Digest discusses the role of the school, the community, and teacher preparation programs in alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) prevention among adolescents. It proposes that a comprehensive drug abuse prevention curriculum should incorporate: (1) normative education to help students realize that use of ATOD is not the norm for…

According to non-Indian educators, American Indian children in public schools often pose discipline problems that cannot be handled with traditional non-Indian methods such as spanking, scolding, yelling, or isolation. The elements of Indian discipline (shaming, ridicule, threats of punishment by supernatural figures, storytelling, community…