The purpose of the current study was to evaluate student perceptions of the impact of a course developed to assist students with learning disorders, both learning disabilities and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), transition and adjust to a university environment. Students' perceptions of the impact of the course over time were…

This study compared the treatment, pretest, and treatment by pretest interaction effects on reports of alcohol use, misuse, and measures of awareness of curriculum content, susceptibility to peer pressure, self-esteem, and health locus of control in the context of an elementary school alcohol misuse prevention project. (JOW)

This paper examines and discusses two professional support and development programs for principals in Australia. Peer-Assisted Leadership (PAL) is a program implemented in Australia in the independent school sector. In 1993, a group of 14 principals from these schools participated in a modified version of PAL, PAL(A). Since then a number of other…

The study was designed to determine the effectiveness of an educational crisis center (in which students stayed from a few minutes to days and weeks to recover from emotional outbursts and academic pressures) for residential school children (5-10 years old) who had learning problems with an overlay of moderate to severe emotional handicapping…

Suggests that the apparent lack of effectiveness of alcohol and drug education programs may stem from the lack of a sound theoretical basis for program development and evaluaton. Reviews (1) the relevance of socialization theory to adolescent drinking and (2) the influence of parents and peers. (JAC)

Describes a peer culture development program implemented in three Chicago public high schools (N=150), which uses peer influence in group meetings (classes) as means for reduction of adolescent problem behavior. Reports an evaluation study providing generally positive findings showing reduction in destructive or detrimental behavior. (Author/LLL)

A conceptual and practical plan is outlined for campus alcohol abuse prevention programs. Barriers to program success are identified, and a prevention strategy is presented that focuses on methods to: (1) define alcohol-related problems, (2) negotiate a prevention contract, and (3) develop a peer problem-solving approach to alcohol education.…

Compared a 6-session, peer-led smoking intervention program for high school-age youth (n=93) to an identical program led by adults. Results showed a significant difference in the number of cigarettes smoked by students in both peer-led and adult-led groups when compared to the control group. (RJM)

Physical and verbal aggression is an increasing problem in both middle and high schools across the United States. While physical forms of aggression are targeted in traditional "bullying" programs, relational aggression (RA), or the use of relationships to hurt another, is often not detected or addressed. For girls in the stage of identity…

Although recent survey findings have indicated a decrease in the percentage of teenage smokers, cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. A social learning smoking prevention intervention, consisting of four sessions which occurred at 2-week intervals, was conducted with fifth and…

The number of adjudicated delinquents is rising along with the need to develop effective deterrents and rehabilitative programs. Most rehabilitative efforts, when evaluated individually, do not show any significant degree of effectiveness or appreciable decrease in recidivism. Research in other fields suggests that delinquency is a group…

This multivariate panel study examines longer-term effects of a prevention program on trajectories of alcohol misuse and related risk factors. Analyses showed susceptibility, exposure, and alcohol misuse increased mostly linearly across adolescence and covaried positively within and across time, arguing that they exist in a mutually reinforcing…

"Twelve Together" is a one-year peer support and mentoring program for middle and early high school students that offers weekly after-school discussion groups led by trained volunteer adult facilitators. Each peer discussion group consists of about 12 participants, who are a mix of students at high risk of academic failure and others at…

The effectiveness of an existing peer mediation program in a diverse, suburban elementary school was examined. Peer mediation was available to all students (N = 825). Three-year longitudinal data showed significant reductions in the school's out-of-school suspensions after implementation of the peer mediation program. Mediation training also…

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…