Increasing the number of counselors in the public schools might be one of the best investments the taxpayers could make if counselors are well trained and emphasize counseling services as a means of preventing emotional and/or behavioral problems. (Author)

The problems caused by a lack of standardized definition of behavior disorders in children are discussed, including differences in identification procedures and widely varying prevalence figures. The significance of environmental intolerance and the instability of many behavior problems over time are described. (Author/MH)

This article describes a nonviolence model program used in 26 schools. The program identifies positive and negative student leaders who then spend an entire day together working on developing relationships, responsibility, respect, and conflict resolution skills. Specific activities of the "lock-in" day and ongoing activities such as development…

This study used an early screening approach to determine the risk status of children in five urban schools and to monitor their reading growth over 3 years. It found that students with behavioral risk factors did better than those with academic risk factors and that the "Reading Mastery" curriculum resulted in the best growth in reading fluency.…

This study investigated the relationship between overt and relational victimization and internalizing behavior disorders among 75 African American and Hispanic elementary aged students. Findings indicated that overt victimization, but not relational victimization, was significantly correlated with social-evaluative anxiety, social avoidance, and…

An annotated psychoeducational report of a gifted boy (age 8) with behavioral problems is presented. A thorough assessment indicated the student was functioning at the 99th percentile level of intelligence despite extremely stressful family conditions and lack of educational opportunities. Following participation in enrichment classes, his…

Target 5 of the National Agenda for Achieving Better Results for Children and Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance is examined. Three assessment areas are reviewed: risk factors, problem behavior, and reintegration of students. Within each of these areas, current research and recommendations for best practices are provided. (Author/PB)

Explores the exact meaning of the locus of control construct and differentiates it from key constructs in the personal control literature. Clarifies the meaning of a number of constructs and advocates an approach to counseling which recognizes the heuristic and therapeutic value of employing such constructs in an integrated fashion. (RJM)

Investigated potential differences between nonreferred children with and without callous-unemotional (CU) traits. Found that children with conduct problems, irrespective of CU trait presence, tended to have significant problems in emotional and behavioral regulation. CU traits, irrespective of conduct problem presence, related to a lack of…

Discusses inequity in computer access for African-Americans and Hispanics in urban public schools. Topics include the importance of elementary school for later success; computer technology use by at-risk students; behavior problems and instructional strategies; and the need for sufficient numbers of computers, adequate teacher training, and…

Tested validity of the Portuguese version of the Social Competence and Behavior Evaluation questionnaire. Found results similar to original French-Canadian instrument in stability, internal consistency, and factorial structure. Found associations between teacher's description of social competence and behavioral difficulties in Brazilian…

Assessed association between interspousal aggression and child problems after controlling for parents' general marital discord among 87 couples requesting marital therapy. Spouses completed measures of marital aggression, marital discord, child problems, and family demographics. Results showed that marital aggression contributed unique variance to…

This study of instructional priorities in preparing mentally retarded students for mainstreaming found that 41 primary-level regular class teachers gave higher priority to academic areas of reading and writing and to the behavioral problem of aggressive behavior than did 35 teachers in special schools for mentally retarded students. (Author/JDD)

Thirty male juvenile delinquents and 90 male high achievers, low achievers, and students with behavior problems were compared using an adapted version of Harter's Perceived Competence Scale for Children. The Australian students (aged 12-15) were compared on 4 different domains of perceived competence--cognitive competence, social competence,…

Eighty-three gifted children, aged 7-11, and their parents completed self-report instruments on personality adjustment. Intelligence was positively related to adjustment. Compared to the group as a whole, the children with higher IQs were less anxious and nervous and less likely to evidence problems in physical development, cognitive development,…