Describes several theoretical models developed to measure the effectiveness of an electronic mail (e-mail) system for scholastic and professional communications. Results of a test of the models with the e-mail system of the Chinese-American Librarians Association's Midwest Chapter are discussed. (17 references) (LRW)

Conducted communitywide experimental change program aimed at improving social climate of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade classrooms in one school system in northern Israel. Thirty-three classrooms were randomly assigned to either small-group or whole-class work on topics in classroom life or to control group. Whole-class group showed improvement in…

This commentary on the study reported in this monograph focuses on three topics raised by the study: (1) social systems, or individuals in the context of institutions; (2) the study of development through the use of disabled populations as experiments in human growth; and (3) the ability of intervention programs to manipulate development. (BC)

Assessed 19 students in academic training program in marital and family therapy for changes in their relationship and intervention skills. Found positive improvements on some measures. Trainee characteristics (clinical experience, gender, age, marital status, scores on standardized admissions tests) were unrelated to changes in intervention…

A study examined the relationship of psychosocial variables (self-efficacy, coping, locus of control, and social support) and attendance at a hospital-sponsored smoking cessation program with smoking cessation. Questionnaires and interviews with participants indicated self-efficacy and number of classes attended related to smoking cessation. (SM)

Evaluated program enhancing career development and writing skills of high school juniors (n=166) in which school counselors and English teachers worked together to help students develop academic skills while exploring relevant career issues. Results indicated that for wide range of students, participation led to achievement of specific guidance…

Followup of nine adults with mild to moderate mental retardation eight years after training of general/social, social/vocational, and social/sexual skills found that five subjects' correct responding was maintained above pretraining levels, and three subjects responded above their posttest levels supporting the long-term maintenance of the trained…

Surveys how communication departments respond to assessment mandates. Finds that most colleges and universities consider developing oral communication abilities a goal of their general education programs, frequently operationalized as a required course. Shows that course evaluations are the main source of information on the effectiveness of…

Presents preliminary evaluation results regarding the reading component of the Learning Center at a four-year private university. Assesses the appropriateness of reading placement cutoff scores, the proportion of low-ability readers who succeed at the college, and success of students who follow placement recommendations compared with those who do…

Ten deans of continuing education identified external threats to their programs as funding, competition, and professionalization. More serious were threats from their universities: reduced resource allocation, change in their unit's position in the hierarchy, perceived lack of academic credibility, and decentralization. (SK)

This review of studies comparing children with behavioral disorders in different educational settings found that pupils in self-contained programs displayed greater improvement in academic achievement than did similar pupils in regular classes. However, the reverse pattern applied to changes in self-concept. Follow-up data indicated enormous…

This article reviews and critiques the literature on the effects of participation in aerobic exercise on psychological/behavioral variables for persons with mental retardation and associated disabilities. Findings suggested that participation in an exercise program produces immediate, but not durable, benefits in the psychological and behavioral…

Describes characteristics of second-generation research in early intervention, that is, greater specificity, the use of more rigorous scientific standards, and an increased understanding of biosocial relationships than in initial investigations. Examines studies conducted by Utah State University's Early Intervention Research Institute in the…

Examines relationships between implementation of select affective middle school program elements and criterion-based student achievement in math, reading, and writing. Finds strong relationships among the achievement measures used and between school articulation strategies and the achievement measures. Suggests some affective program elements…

A parent-conducted program of verbal response-contingent stimulation was effectively used to reduce stuttering to near zero levels in 12 children (younger than age 5). Treatments were completed in a median of 10.5 1-hour clinic sessions and 84.5 days. (Author/DB)