Describes a study of seventh graders in Australia that was conducted to investigate the extent to which interactive video-based teacher ratings of social skill represented a valid measure of the actual classroom behavior of students. Correlations between the teachers' ratings and observed behavior are discussed and further research is suggested.…

Contends that improvisation in musical performances can be taught systematically by music teachers. Maintains that each music practice session should include improvisation along with scales, patterns, theory, and listening. Presents an overview of a practice session incorporating each of these five components. (CFR)

Survey of university undergraduates and nightclub patrons asked if they would engage in sex with unlimited sexual partners as frequently as desired if it would result in death by AIDS after 2-10 years. In all groups, there was a sizeable minority who did not respond definitely no to the question. (SM)

Reports on three studies of playground fighting among elementary and middle school age students in Great Britain. Finds that the most common cause of fights were disputes over some aspect of a rule-governed game; teasing; retaliation to an accidental injury; and, to a lesser extent, disputes over space. (CFR)

This article offers a framework for assessing problem behaviors in classroom settings. It explains three prerequisite steps (identification, prioritization, and delineation of operational definitions) and three methods for formulating hypotheses (structured interviews, systematic observations, and experimental functional analyses). (DB)

As part of Alberta's Educational Quality Indicators initiative, Fort McMurray School District developed a three-level approach to measuring student social skills that includes teacher ratings on report cards, diagnostic screening, and referral to a counselor. The 44-item Social Skills Diagnostic Screen covers personal and interpersonal factors,…

The wide range of ages, goals, and language competencies of Korean students in U.S. schools poses challenges for English-as-a-Second-Language teachers. This paper examines such factors as public versus private education, family influences, cultural influences, linguistic challenges, and Korean students' behavior in the classroom. It looks ahead to…

Measures 129 third and fourth graders' adjustment of their behavior to fit the attitudes of an experimenter after assessing their verbal preferences for gender-typed and cross-gender activities. Relative to the control condition, experimenters were able to reduce, but not increase, the proportion of cross-gender activities children engaged in.…

A survey of 2,651 low-income Mexican-American middle- and senior-high school students in Texas found higher levels of delinquency associated with increased participation in unsupervised socialization with friends and less frequent participation in home activities and organized leisure and sport activities. Associations of leisure activities and…

Utilizes a quasi-experimental descriptive approach to assess college students' knowledge, behavior, and attitudes regarding HIV home testing kits. Results show that students' opinions were equally divided on preference for HIV homes testings, belief in accuracy of home tests, and willingness to use home tests. Cost, confidentiality, and anonymity…

A survey of 392 American and 276 Japanese college students concerning academic dishonesty found both similarities and differences in attitudes and behaviors, and investigated behavior patterns, types of cheating, attitudes about and responses to own and others' cheating, and deterrents. Explanations for cross-cultural differences and implications…

Explores a range of responses, attitudes, and behaviors of seventh- and eighth-grade students to computer and video technology through observations and other research techniques over the course of a school year. Characterizes the students as having "computer personalities" and explains different cases. Offers suggestions for including…

Schools in the Eugene, Oregon, area are participating in the Peaceable Educational Practices (PEP) project, which identifies research-based best practices for reducing school violence. Three general strategies include school data collection, schoolwide policies and programs, and tailoring strategies to the school. PEP schools have seen a dramatic…

Studies the development of self-regulation in school-aged children's help-seeking behavior within a Vygotskian framework. Hypothesizes that studying two age groups would allow definition of two levels of capacity for self-regulation. Shows that the level of self-regulation depends on both age and academic achievement, with older, high-achieving…

Examines the relationships between self-esteem and social respect in which 596 U.S. high school students completed two measures of self-esteem and the Social Behaviors Scale. Reveals that scores for total and global self-esteem were significant predictors of total social respect and seniors reported greater respect for appropriate language,…