Found that the strength of the relationship between peer and individual attitude toward science increases significantly from grades 6-8 (peaking in grade 9) and that the relationship increases during the school year such that, by the end of the year, there are no differences between grades. Implications for science instruction are noted. (JN)

Although cooperative learning evidences the greatest potential for engendering student learning, it is used no more than 20 percent of the time in most classrooms. This article reviews research on cooperative, competitive, and individualistic structures used by teachers and discusses the implications for changing teacher preparation practices. (MT)

Evaluated the effect of monetary incentives on cigarette smoking in 120 college students. Results indicated that monetary incentive was generally effective in reducing smoking. Incentives offered to a group (sorority and fraternity) were more effective among females, while individual incentives were more effective with men. (JAC)

Reasons children underachieve in school are examined: emotional problems, secondary gains, teacher troubles, peer pressure, boredom, fear of trying, and fear of growing up. Guidelines for parents are offered concerning involvement with homework, holding children back, rewards versus bribes, activities that boost self-esteem, and parent…

Followed 1,130 low peer choice children through record sources into young adulthood. Examination of specific childhood problem behavior clusters revealed that childhood aggression, in context of peer rejection, was related significantly to delinquency for males, antisocial diagnosis for both sexes, and differentiated those in the judicial and…

This paper uses longitudinal data and multiple regression of follow-up data to identify direction of causality among adolescent alcohol use, normative structure toward alcohol, and peer alcohol use. Data were collected on a random sample of 100 adolescents. Separate regressions were performed on male and female respondents. (Author/LMO)

Focusing on findings on changes in high school culture derived from a longitudinal study, the author examines two aspects of the study. First, an overview of the significant factors influencing the lives of high school students is reviewed. Second, trends in students' major values are described. (MD)

Surveyed 4,859 rural adolescents to examine the relationship of peer group influence and psychosocial identification with frequency of drug use. Results strongly supported the importance of peer influence and role models in predicting illegal drug use. (JAC)

Discusses the benefits to be derived from full collaboration in the writing process. Suggests that students learn from sharing their abilities and difficulties and gain emotional and technical support from working with their peers. This is particularly helpful for those students who lack confidence in their writing. (RBW)

A review of the essentials of ability formation theory is followed by a review of recent research relevant to the question of how students develop conceptions of their abilities. The ways in which ability formation theory may be refined on the basis of recent findings regarding classroom process are discussed. (PN)

This article presents results from a study that described variables relative to the risk factors of secondary school students' smoking and being overweight. Implications for future risk reduction programs that are targeted for smoking and weight problem behaviors are given. (Author/DF)

Compared the effectiveness of a social consequence curriculum to health effects curriculums in a high school smoking prevention program. Results showed none of the programs was significantly more successful in reducing smoking onset or encouraging cessation. Teacher-taught programs were as effective as those taught by college students. (JAC)

In pointing out the problems involved in evaluation by administrators, the author presents a strong argument for collegial evaluation and presents a proposal outlining a flexible system for peer evaluation of teachers. (MD)

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was an association between HIV sexual risk and substance use behaviors among a sample of inner-city African American youth. As part of a larger study, youth (n=193) competed questionnaires that measured sexual risk as well as substance use. Participants were separated in to high risk and low risk…

Uncovering the effects of school racial composition on academic achievement is difficult, because racial mixing in the schools represents a complex mixture of government and family choices. While the goals of school integration legally inspired by Brown v. Board of Education are very broad, this paper focuses on the contribution of school racial…