Evaluated social competence and problem behaviors of 370 Chinese preschoolers. Found anxiety-withdrawal, anger-aggression, and social competence factors related to age and gender differences. Found high reliability and validity for the Social Competence and Behavior Evaluation (SCBE-30) scale in this Chinese sample. (DLH)

Reviews arguments against including content-rich art activities within the special education curriculum. Provides counterarguments for including such activities and reports on the work of a speech pathologist who used art activities. Discusses approaches and strategies for teaching children with behavior problems. (CFR)

Comparison of 324 neglected children and adolescents and a matched nonmaltreated sample found that the neglected children had lower grades, more suspensions, more disciplinary referrals, and more grade repetitions, even when controlling for gender and socioeconomic status. Junior high appeared to be a particularly problematic time for neglected…

Parent-reported problems and competencies for national samples of 2,600 children and youth assessed at intake into mental health services were compared with 2,600 demographically matched nonreferred children assessed in a home interview study. Age, gender, regional, ethnic, and socioeconomic comparisons drawn from a new questionnaire are…

Reports results of research of occupational stress among elementary school teachers. Identifies four factors that contribute to teacher stress: (1) pupil misbehavior, (2) time/resource difficulties, (3) professional recognition needs, and (4) poor relationships. Discusses the relationship between job satisfaction, career commitment, and job…

Adolescents whose parents had not divorced exhibited more social and scholastic competence and fewer adjustment problems than did adolescents from families with remarried or single mothers. Children from divorced, single-mother families demonstrated adjustment difficulties up to six years after their mother's divorce. (BC)

Describes a comprehensive classroom management system that fosters the development of academic and social goals in all elementary school students. Advocates an approach that includes antecedents that prevent or minimize disruption and consequences that reinforce or increase appropriate behavior. (GLR)

This article on the social behavior problems of children with language disorders who have or are at risk for developing emotional or behavioral disorders examines: prevalence of these disorders, social functioning of these children, early precursors to social competence, relationship challenges of school-age children, implications for assessment…

A case analysis, predictive study, and follow-up study of 17 abused and/or neglected children found that the prognosis for abusive and/or neglectful parents is poorer when they are scored high on immaturity than when they are scored high on emotional problems. (BRM)

Describes a qualitative research project examining homelessness's effects on children's schooling, highlighting a South Carolina intervention program's success. Research disclosed an informal homelessness "caste system," the political unpopularity of providing homeless services, homeless kids' high rates of academic failure and problem…

An elementary principal believes the universal "right" to a free public-school education has so hamstrung educators that they cannot effectively set or maintain standards. Two case studies involving disruptive students and irresponsible parents illustrate a vicious cycle that only educational vouchers (for full per-pupil amounts) might…

Describes a model of comprehensive individualized support for young children (ages 24 to 48 months) with severe developmental disabilities, including autism, based on a triad of essential elements: (1) development of functional communication skills; (2) supported participation in socially inclusive environments; and (3) multifaceted family…

Uses national longitudinal study data to describe the high school performance, social experiences, postsecondary education, labor market participation, and independence of students with serious emotional disturbance (SED). The author analyzes high school programs and adult services provided to SED youths to determine ways of improving youth…

Unsupervised after-school peer contact was examined as a risk factor in developing externalizing problems among early adolescents. Longitudinal findings showed that unsupervised peer contact, lack of neighborhood safety, and low monitoring incrementally predicted grade seven externalizing problems, after controlling for family background factors…

Two studies used latent growth-curve analysis to examine the relation between witnessing violence and changes in problem behaviors (drug use, aggression, and delinquency) and attitudes during early adolescence. In Study 1, six waves of data covering 6th to 8th grades were collected from 731 students in urban schools serving mostly African-American…