Examines the differences between nuclear and stepfamilies and the effects of stepfamilies on children's behavior. Discusses identification of problem behaviors and suggests appropriate counseling strategies for working with children having adjustment problems in stepfamilies. (Author/RC)

Describes an interdisciplinary minicourse on dinosaur fossils, morphology, ethology, and energetics. Suggests and provides examples of hands-on activities for junior high school- through college-level students. (DS)

Postulates that effective performance is part of a cyclical process. First, teacher effort overcomes job-related stressors and achieves valued outcomes and rewards as determined by teacher perception of student needs. This success increases teacher satisfaction, involvement, and motivation. These in turn increase teacher effort and lead to more…

Examines the interplay of historical research and theory building in family studies, expanding discovery of complexity in family life of past times, potential usefulness of W.I. Thomas's theory for such research, and the essential contribution of age and life course to the historical application of the Thomas approach. (Author)

Reviews characteristics of rural drug abuse and general considerations for rural service delivery. Describes the Prevention Project, a rural drug abuse program in Florida, and explains its development, philosophy, and teaching techniques, including a basic educational module for use with rural youth. Includes recommendations for similar programs.…

Discusses the following bicultural determinants in children's learning processes: family structure, value of education, self-concept, assimilative anxiety, social adjustment, and language (verbal and nonverbal). Presents basic guidelines for teachers who work with Oriental and other minority children. (Author/GC)

The article examines the relationship between biological defects and educational aptitude and achievement. (Author/PHR)

Discusses two situations dealing with juvenile delinquency: (1) prejudicial attitudes stemming from racism and how they are reflected in the service delivery infrastructure, service accessibility and utilization, and the development of more appropriate intervention strategies; and (2) the elements of small groups and families in a community…

Presents the results of a study where middle school students enrolled in conflict resolution training wrote essays explaining how they would respond to conflict situations. Students not receiving the training were the control group. Significant differences occurred between the training and control groups concerning knowledge of negotiation…

Maintains that the ways in which students react, absorb, and communicate new information are defined by their perception of the requirements and expectations of their surrounding situation. This information is particularly relevant in designing and implementing school-based drug prevention programs. Provides examples of various situational-based…

Observes the preponderance of heavily marketed drug prevention programs (Project DARE, QUEST Skills for Life) over the more effective psychosocial-based programs. Reviews the literature on determinants of diffusion and recent research on strategies to increase diffusion of these programs. Considers implications for policy and future research. (MJP)

Assessed differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White adolescents' HIV risk behaviors and psychosocial determinants. Surveys indicated that attitude was the strongest predictor of intention and risky behavior for both sexes. There were ethnic differences in sexual experience and condom use for females but not for males. Other predictor…

Presents a personal perspective of a young teacher from a rural background and his experiences teaching music in an all-boys high school in New York City's South Bronx. Includes brief recommendations for creative and innovative ideas to motivate students and keep them focused. (MJP)

Studied Spanish-speaking students in Puerto Rico to determine the resulting interaction process when two second language (L2) students are involved in peer revision of written texts. Results reveal a complex interactive process and highlight the importance of activating cognitive processes through social interaction in the second-language writing…

Characterizes a number of cherished beliefs regarding early childhood art education as myths and argues that their continued use impedes educational reform. These include a belief in art as therapy, the inherent validity of childhood expression, the superiority of process over product, and limited intervention by teachers. (MJP)