The Personalized System of Instruction, known as the Keller Plan, is compared with the mastery learning approach. Learning concepts of both are discussed, as well as differences, difficulties, and effectiveness of each method. (SA)

Results from the 1995 National College Health Risk Behavior Survey, which monitored health risk behaviors among U.S. college undergraduates via mailed surveys, indicate that many students' behaviors increase their likelihood of experiencing adverse health outcomes. Particularly high risks for college students include alcohol abuse, tobacco use,…

Addresses teacher classroom management when children are disruptive and exhibit uncooperative behavior. It stresses that both firmness and respect are necessary. Students should be shown that clear and consistent consequences exist for crossing the line, and teachers should not explain, cajole, lecture, or threaten. (GR)

Tennessee's Project STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Ratio), a large longitudinal project involving students in kindergarten through third grade, has provided important information about class-size effects on pupil achievement and development. The project showed that small classes provided higher student outcomes and better student behaviors than…

Reports on the effectiveness of a drug abuse prevention intervention with a predominantly minority sample of seventh-grade students (N=721). Results indicate that this approach was effective on several behavioral measures of current drug use, including measures of polydrug use and on intention measures relevant to future drug use. (RJM)

This article reviews the literature on self-monitoring interventions with students having learning disabilities. It discusses results of self-monitoring studies in terms of major dependent measures, such as on-task behavior and academic productivity and accuracy. It then analyzes studies comparing effects of self-monitoring of attention and…

Reports on a 10-year investigation of the use of behavioral contingency management technology to improve low-performance students' skills, which was conducted across 17 offerings of a sophomore-level undergraduate course. Findings indicate that behavioral contracting technologies involve very little cost and produce highly effective results. (AEF)

This paper examines nine school-based peer mediation and conflict resolution projects supported by four state health departments, describing differences in targeted students, project consultants, teacher and student training, teaching methods, curriculum content, mediation format, complementary strategies, project cost, and project evaluation. (SM)

This study examined 26 third-grade teachers' use and evaluation of cooperative learning (CL) groups and 38 students' reactions to and verbal interactive behaviors during CL in two classes. Surveys indicated that both groups reported using CL almost daily, with many positive academic, social, and attitude outcomes. Most student interactions were…

Reports an Australian study that investigated the proportion of elementary students previously taught about stranger abduction who detected they were being followed. Observations of 15 children who were followed once a week for four weeks indicated the children only detected they were being followed 3% of the time. (SM)

Fighting violence requires a networking approach among schools, community, and parents. This article advises elementary school counselors: (a) focus on the causes of aggression; (b) identify children with the propensity for behaving aggressively; and (c) prevent aggressive responses in children and adolescents by introducing techniques and…

Lack of the ability to control anger is often the cause of violence. By equipping students with the understanding and skills needed to positively manage their anger, they learn nonviolent options for dealing with situations. This article presents anger-management programs for middle schools and high schools that focus on raising awareness,…

Character education often uses exhortations and extrinsic inducements to make children behave and work harder. Extrinsic rewards and awards erode intrinsically motivated behavior. Programs should answer five basic questions, avoid indoctrination, and provide students with opportunities to construct meaning around moral concepts and to change…

Investigated fourth, sixth, and eighth graders' thinking about the role of a bystander and the role of a victim in the context of aggression. Findings suggest that evaluation of behavioral responses on the part of bystanders and victims is influenced by the relationship among the parties involved. (RJM)

Using a sci-fi matchmaking scenario to illustrate the fallibility of technology, this article discusses the practice of reducing a student to a series of test scores for gifted identification. The limits of testing are addressed, and student performance and behavior are urged as additional categories for identifying aptitude and achievement.…