Because studies examining youth drug use often have data with a high proportion of zeros, they often do not meet the assumptions for univariate or linear regression analyses that are typically used. We demonstrate the use of zero-inflated negative binomial regression models to address excessive zeros in drug use frequency on perceptions of…

For more than two decades, the concept of student engagement has grown from simple attention in class to a construct comprised of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components that embody and further develop motivation for learning. Similarly, the goals of student engagement have evolved from dropout prevention to improved outcomes for lifelong…

Do teachers continue to improve in their effectiveness as they gain experience in the teaching profession? This paper aims to answer that question by critically reviewing recent literature that analyzes the effect of teaching experience on student outcomes in K-12 public schools in the United States. This report reviews 30 studies published within…

Sexual health is a controversial science topic that has received little attention in the field of science education, despite its direct relevance to students' lives and communities. Moreover, research from other fields indicates that a great deal remains to be learned about how to make school learning about sexual health influence the real-life…

Race and socioeconomic class differences in children's reading performance are influenced by social and motivational factors. For example, children from poverty backgrounds are more likely to attribute success to conditions outside personal control, and thus do not experience as much pride in achievement as middle class students who have learned…

Capacity of infant monkeys to mount an antibody response to viral challenge was evaluated after monkeys' removal from their mothers in several social and physical environments. Results indicated that trauma of separation was reduced when infants were familiar with the separation environment or familiar social companions were available. (PCB)

In recent years, there has been increased policy interest in the way young people spend their time out of school, and in promoting the availability of opportunities for them to spend this time in productive and developmentally supportive ways. Out-of-school opportunities (such as arts and music programs, sports teams, community service, youth …

Videotaped conversations of Spanish-speaking children aged two or four years, first with their mothers and then with each other, were compared. Results support Vygotsky's hypothesis that children's skills in following regulations by others and in regulating others emerge in the social context of conversations. (PCB)

This paper reports on a year-long qualitative study of two elementary classrooms in a suburban community near Cincinnati (Ohio). The classes were very homogeneous racially with no students of Hispanic, African-American, Asian, or Pacific Island descent in either class. Interviews, classroom observations and participation, and analysis of student's…

Although adolescent alcohol and drug use is decreasing, many teenagers continue to use alcohol and drugs. Studies of adolescent alcohol use typically sample intact high school populations, excluding dropouts and adolescents alienated from straight high school populations. Alcohol and drug use and alcohol related attitudes were measured in 62…

Analyzed gender differences in responses of 66 White, middle-class Texas high school seniors to measures of identity development in the domain of sex role concepts. Male subjects expressed less acceptance than females of nontraditional behavior in men and women. Discusses subjects' perceptions of peer and parental influence. (DM)

The context of socialization in the second half of the 20th century is far different than any previous socialization environment. Children in the United States and in other industrialized countries grow to adulthood in an age of science and technology. Despite these changes in the socialization environment, there has been little systematic study…

The context of socialization in the second half of the 20th century is far different than any previous socialization environment. Children in the United States and in other industrialized countries grow to adulthood in an age of science and technology. Despite these changes in the socialization environment, there has been little systematic study…

Compared with respect to their susceptibility to peer pressure to engage in deviant activity were fifth-, sixth-, eighth-, and ninth-graders from intact, single parent, and stepparent families. Youngsters living with both natural parents were less susceptible to pressure than those living in other family environments. (Author/RH)

Examines the influence of significant others on continuing involvement in sport by 376 female Canadian secondary school students. Finds that the socializing influence of parents and peers accounted for 11 percent of the variance in intramural activity, 20 percent of the variance in interschool sport, and 10 percent of the variance in…