The meta-analysis, that included 75 studies, examined the relationship between illegal drug consumption, on the one hand, and student academic and behavioral outcomes, on the other, for the middle school to college grade levels. The meta-analysis first (research question #1) addressed whether there is a statistically significant relationship…

Adolescence is a pivotal developmental stage for establishing patterns of behaviors that can last a lifetime. Adolescents' choices have a significant impact on future opportunities. Education can have tremendous influence on the overall success of an individual. For example, a quality education can affect employability, which indirectly influences…

The article reviews research on classroom behavior of learning disabled elementary school students. Topics covered include students' attention and hyperactivity, teacher-child interactions, teachers' perceptions, and the relationship between classroom behavior and achievement. Directions for future research are suggested, including research on LD…

The authors discuss how learning disabled (LD) children's beliefs about themselves may be affected by mainstreaming and how those beliefs may influence their social and achievement related behaviors. Using LD and nonLD elementary and junior high school students, a series of studies examined group differences on a variety of self report and…

Numerous studies describe dropping-out behavior, but few explain it. Examines the themes of retention literature within the context of a theoretical framework and seeks to identify research problems which may be encountered by investigators seeking to examine the phenomenon of persistence in higher education. Further work is suggested. (Author/BEF)

This review of recent empirical research on the effects of television on children and teenagers begins by examining the results of two surveys which were conducted to determine the opinions of experts in the field. A brief statement of the findings indicates that experts generally agree that television harms formal scholastic achievement while…

Illustrates a career-exploration approach for youth that involves parents as direct observers in the career-counseling process. Includes a description of the Parent Involved Career Exploration counseling method as well as some comments based on an initial case-study evaluation. (Author/MKA)

Cites research showing individual reactions to bright and dim light in the classroom. Shows individual susceptibility to extreme negativism in inappropriate lighting conditions and suggests that students' predispositions for illumination be identified. Notes that restless, fidgety youngsters should be placed into softly lit sections, with the…

Teacher effectiveness research has used changing criteria over the years in assessing and evaluating teacher performance and its effect on student achievement. Early researchers accepted the idea that there should be a relationship between the personality or traits of the teacher and student outcomes. Lists of characteristics of superior teachers…

A review of past methods of observing teacher behavior is presented, with comment on the relative effectiveness of each method provided. A research model using videotape recording of teachers' in-classroom behavior is suggested, and information given concerning the current use of similar methods of observation. (LH)

This guide is intended to help the literacy practitioner in the identification of adults with learning disabilities. These adults have worked diligently for a year or more to improve comprehension skills, writing and spelling, or work skills, yet, have made little progress. The role of screening as only the first step in a process involving a…

Reviews recent research on college students' substance abuse, discussing the nature and extent of substance use and examining the effect of demographics and personality, year in college, grade point average, residence, motivation, and attitudes. Suggestions for coping with problems of campus alcohol use are offered. (Author/SM)

Discusses the effects of child abuse and neglect on young children. Focuses on possible neurological effects; psychological effects, such as disregulation of affect and avoidance of intimacy; and cognitive consequences throughout childhood and adolescence. Describes interventions that can promote resiliency in children, such as providing alternate…

Since the 1890s, researchers have been studying the impact of teachers' characteristics and styles on their students' progress. Many attempts to quantify basis of quality teaching have been made. The research into teaching styles has traveled through four distinct phases. The first was concerned with describing the characteristics of the effective…

This report is an overview of recent research on the effects of class size on the academic performance and behavior of students at risk. In several ways it is not a conventional literature review. It emphasizes one recent large-scale investigation, Tennessee's Project STAR (Student-Teacher-Achievement-Ratio), begun in 1985. It is more evaluative…