Promoting socioemotional literacy and learning to detect social problems early are among the most powerful tools educators can use to prevent youth violence. Educators can head off signs of trouble by developing their reflective capacities and by establishing caring, responsive, and supportive relationships with their students. Contains 13…

"Teaching for Social Justice," by Ayers, Hunt, and Quinn, advocates inclusion of social-justice concerns as part of schools' official curriculum. Although the authors do not move some issues far enough, the book can serve as a primer for teachers concerned about social justice and democratic values. (MLH)

Adolescents experience numerous changes; coping with a chronic illness adds yet another dimension to their lives. This paper reviews the literature on chronically ill adolescents, addressing social, biological, psychological, cognitive, and cultural issues. (Author)

Examines some of the main issues and developments within biotechnology that legislators must address. Suggests how these can be utilized in the social studies classroom. Includes three articles by Hilary Glazer and Hannah Letterman, Elizabeth M. Yang, and Ami S. Jaeger. (CMK)

Discusses what is to come in research on literacy in secondary schools. Connects interest in secondary school literacy to the content area reading movement and points to cognitive psychology as the primary conceptual basis for recent work. Explains why it is important to consider an even more shifting definition that locates the social and…

Presents survey responses from over 1,000 black alumni of seven prestigious colleges and universities to determine whether college-educated, middle- and upper-class blacks are the most alienated, radicalized, and disenchanted group of African Americans. Comments from some responders on the benefits afforded blacks who "know their place"…

Highlights the role of reflexivity in educational research and argues that it needs to be recognized in terms of learning in general, in relation to research design, and in respect to producing educational knowledge. Presents a way of researching social justice and education that accounts for the reflexive nature of educational research. (DSK)

This study collected data from adolescents, ages 12 to 14, in California and Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Two questions were presented concerning social-emotional and school functioning. Consistent with previous research, American youth reported more internalizing and externalizing problems than their Dutch peers and said that their negative moods…

This article describes elements of critical practice exhibited in one elementary school. It discusses three themes (education for social justice, school leadership, and student engagement) to argue that the school offers a concrete example of possibilities that can emerge in a school informed by the principles of a critical pedagogy. (Contains…

The way in which boys and schooling have been addressed as popular discourse has created a "panic" that does not reflect the same concerns educators have raised. This article explores some of the central social justice issues regarding boys and schooling and addresses the contradictions between practice and panic. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Examines the movie "White Man's Burden" and, by its reversing of social ideologies and stereotypes, the questions arising from it about race relations in America. The author addresses the movie's shortcomings in dealing with race relations in part because it leaves intact ideologies and moralities based on class without defining…

Provides a list of microform and CD-ROM titles that document America's cultural diversity. Each entry's topic is described as well as publisher's information and price, if applicable. (GR)

Recounts how an Iowa junior high school improv company (called "Pressure Points") tackles tough issues, educating their audiences about the dangers of alcohol and drugs; the effects of divorce; the realities of AIDS, rape, and suicide; and about the difficulties of growing up in a risk-filled world. Describes the troupe's work methods,…

Preschool children in South Africa are adversely affected by poverty, child abuse, poor nutrition, insufficient primary health care, homelessness, violence, and inadequate funding for preprimary education. Positive signs include the establishment of a trust to support preschool education, an increase in the number of accredited educare courses,…

Employed an experimental research design in evaluating intensive family preservation services to reunify families after out-of-home placement. Found significant difference between the treatment group and control group in terms of family reunification, and mixed findings in terms of family functioning. Discusses research design with implications…