In 1994, Long Beach (California) Unified School District began requiring uniforms in all elementary and middle schools. Now, half of all urban school systems and many suburban schools have uniform policies. Research on uniforms' effectiveness is mixed. Tightened dress codes may be just as effective and less litigious. (MLH)

Social behavior of 122 students in grades 6-8 who participate in a prevention program for behaviorally at-risk youth was rated by a parent, general education teacher, and at-risk program teacher. Parents and special program teachers were more likely to provide positive ratings of behaviors than their general education teachers. (Author/CR)

Believes that special attention should be paid to the problems of ecological upbringing of Russian children. Views ecological upbringing as a continuing and systematic process throughout the school years in which children interact with the natural environment. Focuses on the need to shape elementary children's awareness of ecological concerns.…

Believes that the key to solving the problems in the schools (the shootings and low-achievement levels) is by trying to understand the current generation of students. Maintains that the means to understanding students is for teachers to visit the various schools in their communities and share their time with those students (CMK)

Discusses the role of peer interaction in the music classroom through the observations of how sixth-grade students accomplish the "Canon no. 40" improvisation and composition assignment. Concludes that peer interaction was a key element in the students' learning and provides the lesson plan for "Canon no. 40." (CMK)

Examines how male and female students perceive their gender identity in 25 mixed and 43 single-sex secondary schools in Belgium. Finds that girls in coeducational schools more than girls in single-sex schools identified with both feminine and masculine traits, while their classroom behavior was more inhibited. (CMK)

Describes a classroom exercise that enables students to critically examine the myth that "deviants are different from the rest of us." Explains that students consider their involvement in academic cheating and their motivations for cheating. Discusses various sociological arguments, other teaching techniques, and an evaluation of the exercise.…

Third and fifth grade teachers rated the mathematical skill level, classroom behavior, and effort of their students, most of whom had completed mathematics and reading achievement tests. Results indicated that mathematics and reading achievement test scores, together with student effort, were significant predictors of teacher rating of mathematics…

Three studies replicated and extended Dweck's findings regarding young children's responses to challenging achievement situations. Findings indicated that a composite of cognitive, behavioral, and affective helplessness indices at kindergarten age predicted helplessness 1 and 5 years later, above and beyond gender and kindergarten task ability.…

The present study investigated the role of students' homework practices in their self-efficacy beliefs regarding their use of specific learning processes (e.g., organizing, memorizing, concentrating, monitoring, etc.), perceptions of academic responsibility, and academic achievement. One hundred and seventy-nine girls from multi-ethnic, mixed…

Bullying represents a significant problem in U.S. schools, affecting approximately one in three children. The authors discuss the dynamics, types, characteristics, and consequences of school bullying. Risk factors for engaging in bullying, being bullied, and becoming both a bully and a victim are discussed. Research indicates that bullying has…

Observations of 780 third-grade classrooms described classroom activities, child-teacher interactions, and dimensions of the global classroom environment, which were examined in relation to structural aspects of the classroom and child behavior. 1 child per classroom was targeted for observation in relation to classroom quality and teacher and…

The present article examined 2 questions about the relation between kindergarten classroom processes (setting and quality) and children's engagement in activities, compliance with teachers' requests, and interactions with peers. First, how do children's engagement, compliance, and cooperation vary as a function of teachers' use of classroom…

This study evaluated the efficacy of the computer-assisted intervention program known as Fast ForWord Language? in a sample of migrant students in Grades 1 through 6 who were native Spanish speakers. Fast ForWord Language? combines intensive training in multiple receptive English language skills with adaptive acoustic waveform lengthening and…

Background: Research on pupils' bullying (1991) and violence (1993) motivated the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science to initiate a national campaign on school safety. The government campaign was undertaken from 1995 to 2000. Aim: To test for differences in secondary pupils' bullying and violence before and after the campaign while…