Reports the impact of a school-based Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) risk-reduction program on participation and intention to participate in sexual intercourse and on protective behaviors by newly sexually active seventh- and eighth-grade students. Surveys indicated the programs affected certain protective behaviors, frequency of recent…

Implementation of a pyramid model to teach behavior management strategies to the staff of an integrated childcare center found improvements in performance of the three trained "specialists," improvements in other staff trained by the specialists, changes in child behavior, and general satisfaction with the training procedures. (DB)

The Children and Adolescent Pregnancy Project is a Chicago (Illinois) school-based intervention that serves pregnant teens (most either African American or Hispanic) who are either very young or have mild to moderate mental retardation. Outcome data indicate that serving these two groups together is an effective and developmentally appropriate…

Eight preschool and primary school teachers participated in workshops on planning creative dance instruction. Four months after the workshops, all eight were using dance as an educational tool. Reasons for teachers' choice to use dance in the classroom are discussed. (MDM)

This study of interactions between three severely withdrawn, autistic preschool children and six nonhandicapped peers found that peers can be effectively taught strategies to increase appropriate social behaviors of autistic classmates, and a group-oriented reinforcement contingency is an effective complement to teacher-prompted interventions and…

The success of the mandated school desegregation efforts of the Jefferson County (Kentucky) public schools demonstrates the potential of a countywide interdistrict plan relying largely on coercive desegregation techniques. The example contradicts the common assumption that mandated plans result in significant white enrollment losses. (SLD)

The "Thinking Actively in a Social Context" (TASC) project, currently underway with African-American high school pupils and teachers in KwaZulu/Natal schools (South Africa), stresses the systematic development of thinking and problem-solving skills. The program has been very successful with relatively high achieving students but requires…

A training program for faculty supervising pharmacy clinical experience courses included four workshops in setting expectations, motivating learners, providing practice, and evaluating performance and giving feedback. Ten of 35 teaching behaviors changed significantly as a result. Likelihood of change in specific teacher behaviors was assessed.…

Two applications of interdisciplinary problem-based learning at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy are described. In one application, seniors investigate dilemmas resulting from modern advances in science and technology; in the other sophomores study the critical decisions which drove American development. Evidence of program…

Briefly reviews seven books on the following topics: (1) runaway and homeless youth; (2) drug abuse prevention; (3) issues related to helping children prenatally exposed to drugs and alcohol; (4) lesbians and gay men as foster parents; (5) a multicultural approach to child welfare; (6) keys to successful volunteer programs; and (7) single mothers.…

Forty-nine families of children with mental retardation (ages 2-11) were assessed before and after a parent training program. Parents showed small but significant decreases in reports of depression, parent and family problems, overall family stress, and dissatisfaction with the family's adaptability. Family characteristics were predictive of…

Presents findings from a survey of two-year colleges with nontraditional economic development programs. Focuses on factors associated with success, program independence from traditional college structure, faculty inclusion/exclusion, labor/management relations, administrative structures, and unrealistic expectations. Considers the emerging role of…

Summarizes recent ERIC documents on interpersonal competence among preschool and kindergarten children. (BB)

Observations of the classroom behavior of 43 pupils in grades 5-7 at risk for referral to special education and teacher responses to rating scales indicated that student monitoring plus teacher-student contracts were as effective, if not more so, as teacher monitoring plus teacher-student contracts. (Author/JDD)

Discusses issues in the management of volunteers in research libraries, outlining the benefits to volunteers and libraries, as well as potential hazards. The volunteer program at Chicago's Newberry Library is described, focusing on recruitment, job assignments, motivation, staff attitudes, retention and library benefits. (26 references) (EA)