Using data on variability in West Virginia high school dropout rates, this study examined contextual factors in teen pregnancy. Results indicated that teen pregnancy was explained in a similar way to dropping out. The presence or absence of opportunities and valued participation in a socially, culturally stable community affected both issues. (SM)

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is recognized as the most common neurobehavioral disorder in American children. The paper examines how to obtain a proper diagnosis for children with ADD, how medication for ADD affects children, how children with ADD can be properly served in public schools, and where to go for help. (SM)

Presents self-reported prevalence and incidence data about student academic dishonesty generated from an anonymous survey. Over two-thirds of students reported some form of academic dishonesty during a sample semester. Evaluates the perceived effectiveness of cheating countermeasures by comparing those students who admitted involvement with those…

Discusses student empowerment and the importance of including students in planning and implementing conflict resolution programs. The paper describes the "Winning Against Violent Environments" (WAVE) program which trains students to be peer mediators who train other students and adults to be mediators and conflict managers. (SM)

Exit plans of 1,632 students attending 92 private out-of-district special education programs were studied. Students from programs for medical and pervasive developmental/communication disorders were likely to plan transfers to self-contained programs within their districts, whereas students from emotional/behavioral programs tended to plan…

Highlights the concept of infant mental health and discusses what early care and education professionals can do to boost babies' emotional well-being. Offers steps for the following specific strategies: (1) developing trust; (2) being alert to risk conditions; (3) nurturing children's mental health; (4) creating supportive environments; and (5)…

Open-ended interviews in which 20 family members discussed issues related to their child's problem behavior revealed three major themes: the difficult process of coming to terms with the child's disability, the importance of having support from caring people, and the pervasive impact the problem behavior exerts on family functioning. (Contains…

Characterizes the Montessori work serving the first 3 years by recounting its genesis; describes early Montessori toddler programs, and the emergence of infant communities internationally in the early 1970s. Highlights ways parents can be supportive of the "spiritual embryo" in cooperation with the school. Suggests how parent education invites…

Examined relations between parents, older siblings, peers, adolescents' individual characteristics, and adolescents' deviant attitudes and behaviors among inner-city families. Structural equation models showed that older deviant siblings had the strongest effect on adolescent deviance. Positive family relationships, parental support, and…

Analysis of responses of 10,251 high school students surveyed in the 1997 National School-Based Youth Risk Survey indicated that American Indian males more frequently carried weapons, attempted suicide, and used drugs than did White or Black youths. American Indian females more frequently attempted suicide and used cocaine than did White or Black…

Analysis of responses of 16,262 high school students surveyed in the 1997 National School-Based Youth Risk Survey indicated that Hispanic males and Black females engaged more frequently in risky behaviors than did their same-sex peers in other racial groups. Patterns of involvement in risky behavior differed across racial/ethnic groups. (Author/SV)

Advances a conceptual model for viewing the influence of the administrative behaviors of chairpersons of academic departments, positing four propositions that depict the influence of administrative behaviors on college student learning: student evaluations of teaching, student advisement, cooperative instructional activities, and faculty…

Examined longitudinally the relationship between biological and social risk factors and aggressive behavior patterns among high-risk Australian adolescents in three groups: early-onset persistent aggression, adolescent-onset aggression, and nonaggressive behavior groups. Findings revealed that the interaction of biological and social risk factors…

Examined relationship of role models among African American ninth-graders to substance use, delinquency, academic engagement, and psychological well-being. Found that males without male role models and females identifying brothers as role models reported the most problem behavior. Adolescents with paternal role models had most positive school…

Investigated social pressure to avoid acting white, interviewing relatively high achieving African American and Mexican American students in public and private high schools. Most did not avoid academic achievement to avoid accusations of acting white, and most reported no loss of ethnic identity. They felt strong resentment toward peers'…