Freshmen placed the greatest responsibility for their low grades on their own lack of motivation, improper study habits, and inattention to school work. Because of the predicted decline in the number of college-age youths in the 1980s, schools need to put more emphasis on retaining students. (Author)

Suggests that workers focus on strengthening parents' feelings of competence as a positive, stress-reducing approach to the reparenting role. Also analyzes the various responsibilities of the workers as nurturers-cum-educators and describes techniques that can be used in reparenting. (Author)

Describes a study in which seventh-grade students achieved higher scores on a cloze test after reading stories that contained their own names and those of people and places familiar to them. (MKM)

Three variables: subject area, day of the week, and academic activity, were examined to determine whether pupil involvement in academic learning activities is an indicator of pupil learning. Differences were found in each variable, implying that more effective use of allocated instruction time will increase academic achievement. (JD)

Subjects who were preparing to teach scored reliably higher than controls on a subsequent retention test. In experiment 2, for both a verbal and a problem-solving task, subjects either worked alone, verbalized their thoughts or taught another person the task while performing. There were no reliable differences. (Author/CP)

Describes the Comprehensive Vocational Motivation Program for high school students with special needs. The program includes personal and vocational counseling, help in locating social services, development of vocational skills and part-time employment, motivation activities, and crisis intervention. Programs are tailored to individual needs. (JAC)

Reports on reading research studies conducted in Great Britain during 1979, noting that two areas have attracted much more attention recently--reading comprehension and the importance of motivation. (HOD)

Cross-age tutors and tutees (n=122 children) felt that tutorial learning was most dependent on effort rather than ability factors and attributed positive learning consequences to their tutoring partner, but negative learning consequences to themselves. (Author/RL)

Activities are described for developing students' interest in current events through teaching about the news media: introducing major newspapers and magazines; encouraging analysis and forecasting on current issues; and teaching news reporting, interviewing, and writing techniques, culminating in a mock presidential press conference. (SJL)

Vocational agriculture programs have many built-in aspects that can help low ability students develop a favorable self-concept. To influence a student's self-concept, a teacher must be or become a "significant other" in the student's life. In addition, teachers should create a proper classroom atmosphere and encourage/supervise student activities…

Describes a certificate program in German popular universities, designed for adult students of French and based on communication needs and linguistic objectives. (AM)

To encourage and recognize student academic achievement, the faculty of Natural and Social Sciences, State University College at Buffalo, sponsors a grant program to fund student-initiated research. The program and related projects, including a reception and publicity for achievers, are described. Also discussed are program fund-raising and…

Methods for teaching writing skills are described. Techniques include utilizing writing exercises as they present themselves in content courses, establishing an honor system, individualized instruction, and repeated practice sessions focusing on specific writing skills. (LH)

Adult students enrolled in noncredit courses display a diversity of backgrounds, needs and motives. The importance of teacher accommodation of these factors is addressed, including such issues as homework, counseling, course structure, and student skills. (JMD)

In the process of selecting materials for school collections, the media supervisor functions as a manager: planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling. (Author)