Provides highlights from the National Commission on Children's 1990 final report. Recommendations address such issues as ensuring income security, improving children's health, increasing educational achievement, preparing adolescents for adulthood, supporting families, protecting vulnerable children and their families, and making policies and…

Studies the prevalence of self-reported drug use behavior related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the effects of school-based HIV instruction and HIV knowledge on these behaviors in a probability sample of 8,098 high school students. HIV knowledge and instruction may help sustain low drug use. (SLD)

Peer counselors and staff members describe the "I Have a Future" Program at Meharry Medical College in Nashville (Tennessee). This program focuses on pregnancy prevention by providing education, health care, and increased life options; social skills training; an entrepreneurial program; and separate classes for African-American youth.…

The Preventive Systemic School Counseling Model helps students, through increased involvement of integral subsystems (school staff, parents, and community resources), to become responsible, effective adults. As family, school, and community roles change, the model develops cognitive and affective strengths and helps the educational system produce…

To motivate students toward higher achievement and encourage mingling across racial and socioeconomic groups, a team of Florida seventh-grade teachers developed a plan featuring a rotating schedule, enrichment classes for all students, long time-blocks two days weekly, and heterogeneous cohesive groups. The program exposed all students to a…

Parental knowledge of child sexual abuse and interest in educating themselves and their children for primary prevention was studied, via interviews with 51 mothers and 50 fathers of preschool and day-care center children. There were significant differences by sex of parent for sources of preferred information, preferred educators, and types of…

Some approaches to dealing with contemporary issues on campus include Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome awareness--safe sex parties; crime prevention--students helping students, legislation, workshops and conferences; alcohol awareness--designated driver program and starting a nonalcoholic bar; cults on campus; sexual assault--"Hours Til…

An employee wellness program involving physical fitness activities and health education was implemented at the University of Texas (Arlington). Results of participant (N=50) and control group (N=152) pre- and posttest surveys, physiological tests, program evaluations, and analysis of personnel records demonstrated the program's value. (Author/MLW)

Describes a project at Rockhurst College to address attrition problems called Freshmen in Science. The project goal was to build a support system for the curriculum that would encourage students to put forth their best effort. Describes the planning process, program, and results from a six-year effort to keep students interested in science-related…

By cooperating with other district staff, law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel, and social services, educators can prevail over school violence. First steps are developing a well-trained team, an effective crisis-response plan, and an alternative site to accommodate students. Guidelines and Web sites are provided. (MLH)

Describes the evolution of alternative schools from progressive learner-centered free schools founded in the 1960s to the present emphasis on at-risk students. Outlines three models of alternative schools and discusses successful strategies and essential characteristics of effective schools for at-risk youth. Emphasizes the importance of…

A survey of 498 undergraduate students withdrawing from a Canadian university was used to develop a model of student attrition. Students frequently attributed withdrawal to personal characteristics, institutional factors, and societal variables. Student academic performance was a causal factor for university-initiated withdrawal, and student…

In this interview, Senator Campbell identifies violence, drug and alcohol abuse, poorly funded schools, and racism as obstacles facing American Indian youth. He discusses government programs that help American Indians, but notes that tribal control of programs is more effective and a return to traditional tribal values is necessary to provide a…

Violence and risky behavior sound a wakeup call for schools. Schools need to teach accurate, honest, and relevant life-saving reality education. A K-12 comprehensive health-education framework with age-appropriate prevention messages and positive life skills is crucial. Programs need to be accurate, up-to-date, and brutally honest. (MLF)

Research suggests that after-school programs reduce juvenile crime and risky behavior; increase confidence, academic performance, and social skills; and build positive adult-child and home-school relationships. The need for supervised after-school activities, especially in poor neighborhoods; the characteristics of successful programs; and the…