Four family process factors (parental expectations, parental interest, parental involvement, and family communication) were assessed for their impact on grades and achievement test scores of 300 students in sixth and seventh grades in a longitudinal study. The most influential was parental expectation of students' capabilities in specific…

Research over 20 years indicates that teachers are more attentive to male students from preschool through high school. Gender-appropriate practices maximize learning opportunities for both sexes by ensuring ongoing, formative evaluations, respecting each individual's learning pace, providing mentors, and intervening positively when appropriate.…

Parents' nostalgia and waning confidence in teachers' competence are primary obstacles to improving schools. Teaching and public education are at a crossroads. One road involves teachers and parent partners in a broad social movement that ultimately protects and redefines teacher professionalism. The other leads to deprofessionalization of…

Discusses a training program for youth counselors aimed to improve counselors' self-efficacy and ability to cope with stressful situations. Two versions of the program were evaluated: one based on participant modeling, the other on symbolic modeling. Self-efficacy of subjects on the participant modeling increased compared to that of the subjects…

Describes an eighth-grade communications arts classroom at Richard R. Green Middle School in the Bronx, New York, where respect has become a powerful motivator for students. Relates how students have responded positively to being treated as intelligent young adults who can learn, and how that has contributed to the students' success. (TJQ)

Assesses differences in academic and athletic motivation levels among white and black student-athletes, and probes two possible causal variables for graduation rates by examining postgraduate expectations of student-athletes and aspects of their social, cultural, and personal orientations. Survey responses from 327 college athletes reveal…

A college professor describes the interracial dialog in a master's-level class on race and racism, based on a diary kept during the course. Discussions focused on different races and the stereotypes, prejudices, expectations, and needs of each group. It is concluded that students may not have enough opportunity to engage in such exchanges. (MSE)

A commentary precedes this previously published study that indicates fifth-grade and eighth-grade students in homogeneous classes perceived that their teachers held higher expectations of them than did students who were heterogeneously grouped. The statistical methods used in the study are explained, along with key findings. (Contains references.)…

Investigated teachers' awareness of narcolepsy and the accuracy of their knowledge. Found educators uninformed about narcolepsy and how to accommodate narcoleptic students. Recommended that teachers be aware of narcolepsy's symptoms, plan variety and movement into students' lessons, and allow students to redo assignments if a sleep attack…

Discusses how social trends changed father involvement and family life, and in turn affected children's and fathers' developmental trajectories. Examines how today's children will construct expectations about fathers' and mothers' roles. Maintains that a life-span approach considers the broader sociohistorical context in which fatherhood develops.…

Reports on reasons for achievement gap between highest performing middle-school students and lowest performing students including differences in administrator leadership, student expectations, curriculum standards, and teaching practices. Recommends several actions principals can take to improve middle-school student achievement, such as using…

In this study, the authors used expectancy theory to examine key factors that motivate business faculty to conduct research. The survey results, from 320 faculty members at 10 business schools, showed that faculty members who assign higher importance ratings to both the extrinsic and the intrinsic rewards of research exhibit higher research…

High school teachers often have difficulty motivating struggling students to complete homework--especially in inner-city schools in which many students are discouraged by stressful living conditions. The authors consulted with successful urban educators who were involved with innovative, small high schools in New York City, and asked what…

Landsman explores the qualities that enable teachers to effectively work with students who are homeless or live in extreme poverty. The most effective strategy seems to be maintaining high expectations. Successful teachers "cut deals" with students, finding ways to connect school work to students' life concerns and helping them successfully to…

The process of choosing strategies within mathematization is described in a multi-method study on solving additions and subtractions. The sample consisted of 40 dyads of 3rd-graders and their teacher from ten mainstream primary schools. From each classroom the two students rated as highest and the two rated as lowest were selected to take part in…