Reviews the continuing overrepresentation of African-American children and youth in special education programs for students with learning disabilities, severe emotional or behavioral disabilities, and mental disabilities. Uses a critical-theory model to examine how basic assumptions, world views, beliefs, and epistemologies serve to perpetuate…

Two cohorts of 3694 second-grade children were screened for emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD). Children were identified by using the current federally mandated definition and by also using an alternative definition that requires school and parent involvement in determining symptom presence. Most participants were identified by schools as…

This article describes a school-wide violence prevention program at one Oregon middle school. The school implemented the Second Step curriculum, which teaches students nonviolent alternatives to address conflict and concepts of empathy, impulse control, problem solving, and anger management. The process used to select, implement, and evaluate the…

In an attempt to identify the earliest, most efficient, and most accurate predictors of emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), characteristics of 155 third-graders at risk for EBD were examined. Students categorized as high-risk experienced higher rates of peer rejection and poor social skills and exhibited hyperactivity and defiant behaviors.…

Evaluated the effects of parent training on mother behavior and the disruptive behavior of eight children. Parent training was conducted within a multiple-baseline design across children. Direct observation, interviews, and standardized rating scales showed improvements in behavior; six-month follow-up demonstrated the stability of changes.…

A study involving 265 Australian parents of children enrolled in preschools found most preferred informal sources of support on child management. Inconsistent management techniques, greater use of punishment, lack of confidence, and a need for help with coping strategies were found in families experiencing more aggressive behaviors in their…

Identifies six empirically and socially validated conversational behaviors that can serve as targets of interventions designed to increase social interaction among high school students with and without disabilities. Findings indicate that little social interaction occurs among these high school students in the absence of programming or support.…

Studies the association between parenting practices and conduct problem behavior in a sample (N=179) of children and adolescents. Results indicate that parents' involvement in their children's activities is most strongly predictive of conduct problems in the adolescent age group, whereas corporal punishment is most strongly associated with conduct…

Reviews Supreme Court case, New Jersey v. T.L.O., that established the right of school officials to conduct searches of students when the purpose is to maintain discipline, order, and safety in the educational setting. The need to have reasonable grounds for suspicion before conducting the search is emphasized. (CR)

This article presents an overview of federal and state laws intended to prevent school violence and examines related decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court. School districts' reactions to violence are discussed and a framework is proposed that school districts can use to develop legally correct policies regarding violence. (CR)

This article describes characteristics of adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders, transition outcomes for these students, model transition programs, and key transition service delivery components, including: intake and functional skill assessment, personal future planning, wraparound social services, competitive employment, flexible…

This article explores factors leading to development of antisocial behavior in children and later negative outcomes including school failure, delinquency, and violence. Best practices in screening and early intervention for at-risk and antisocial children are identified. Recommendations are offered based on research-based practices, tools, and…

The relationship between prenatal drug exposure, emotional and behavioral disorder (E/BD) identification in Head Start, and subsequent special education kindergarten placement in 145 Head Start children (ages 3-4) was examined. Results showed that 47% of the drug-exposed group versus 35% of the non-drug-exposed group met classification criteria…

The Family-Centered Behavior Scale assessed perceptions of 443 parents/caregivers of special needs children [126 with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD)] of the importance and frequency of family-centered behaviors of professionals, primarily special education teachers, social workers, and physicians. Parents agreed on the most important…

Ninety-four 7th- and 8th-grade students with learning and emotional/behavioral disabilities received intervention services that incorporated monitoring and school engagement strategies. Half continued to receive services through grade 9. On two of three measures, students receiving continued intervention services were significantly more likely to…