Reports on a study of the effects of maternal employment on academic achievement among white, male secondary students. Finds that upper middle-class and middle-class boys reported lower grades when their mothers were full-time workers. Also finds similar results with other groups and presents implications for further research. (CFR)

In school systems with a zero-tolerance policy, principals must recommend that students who carry weapons on campus be expelled. Some critics say zero-tolerance policies do not allow enough room for exceptions. Describes the Gun-Free Schools Act. (MLF)

Found that early adolescents use various models to make moral decisions. These include care (wishing others not to suffer), justice (decisions made according to principles), and narrowly concerned or selfish. Males and females used all three modes, with males being more likely to choose the narrowly concerned mode. (RJM)

This study examined fourth graders' extracurricular physical activity levels and choices. Self-reported activities were classified as low, medium, or high intensity and as individual or team. Results indicated significant relationships between gender and activity choices, although overall activity levels and most frequently selected activities did…

Presents positive strategies to help teachers turn behavior problems in the classroom around. Suggestions include looking for the good rather than the bad, avoiding negative labels, seeking coaches and avoiding critics, and working with parents. A list of 10 steps to success are provided. (SM)

The intensity of youth at-risk for substance abuse, academic delinquency, and death has led to nationwide searches for solutions. The paper examines 1980's research, highlighting the importance of professional collaboration to handle the problems. After examining research from related fields, the paper discusses evaluation of programs for at-risk…

An instructional process for facilitating maintenance and generalization of academic skills is presented, using the ABCD'S (Antecedent Events, Behavior, Consequent Events, Data, and Setting Events) Generalization Intervention Model. (JDD)

Study investigated relationships between secondary students' school achievement, leisure activities, and motivation. Leisure activity variables predicted school achievement but were weak compared to motivation variables, which were weak compared to goals for college. Number of leisure activities and hours spent in leisure activities correlated…

High school students (n=295) were administered variants of the student-professor problem to ascertain whether errors could be traced to implicit versus explicit relationships between the variables. Concludes that implicit variable relationship problems were harder than explicit variable relationship problems. A follow-up study to explore why is…

This study, with 367 sixth grade pupils, found that pupils with negative realistic self-concept were more susceptible to behavior problems and were less likely to be popular working partners than were pupils with positive realistic self-concept. (Author/DB)

High School and Beyond data for 175 rural high schools suggest that creating larger institutions will increase student misbehavior. However, for small rural high schools, this increase will border the trivial. Decisions to consolidate schools should rest on criteria other than equity, efficiency, and its effects on student behavior. (RLC)

Study examined factors associated with adolescents' knowledge of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and perceived risk of human immunodeficiency infection (HIV). Results of a health risk survey indicated that minority youth, particularly IV drug users, had the most need of intensive, specialized HIV/AIDS education. (SM)

Presents activities to help teachers address the needs and behaviors of students raised on television; includes resources to help teachers use television productively in the classroom, a send-home reproducible on children and television violence, and notes on an interview with Shari Lewis and television tips for primary students. (SM)

Examined the effects of peer support and parent involvement on the cognitive and social development of 63 preschool children enrolled in rural California Head Start programs. Found that parental involvement in school was predictive of gains in learning skills and classroom behavior, whereas mutual friendships predicted gains in social play and…

Describes an intervention in which an elementary principal taught math to a group of four underachieving third-grade students in the classroom. Discusses the principal's influence on the entire class, as well as on the low achievers. The target students' achievement improved negligibly, but their behavior and work habits improved noticeably, and…