A middle school teacher presents three case studies of seventh-grade students who began the school year poorly but then decided to change. All three students had challenging home situations but, after becoming motivated to succeed, showed dramatic and rapid improvement. Such motivational changes are seen as stemming ultimately from reasons…

Reviews research on detection of cheating by students on multiple choice tests. Discusses three ideas concerning detecting, deterring, and confronting cheating. Discusses problems confronting teachers attempting to use statistical data to prove cheating. (CFR)

This article explores the social context surrounding Lloyd Dunn's 1968 paper on educational reform for children with mild disabilities, noting the subsequent adoption of resource specialist services in place of special day classes, changes in numbers of students with mild mental retardation and their behavioral characteristics, and the current…

Examines characteristics that lead to problems for Appalachian children entering urban schools. Describes cultural aspects that are challenged in northern schools and attitudes held by educators in those schools. Suggests ways to improve the quality of the education provided, and an approach whereby adjustment is viewed as a progressive and mutual…

Navajo children's silence in the classroom may be related to unwillingness to put themselves above peers and to the culturally defined role of pupil as silent observer. Interviews with 16 Navajo and non-Navajo teachers of Navajo children examined their attitudes toward student silence, classroom strategies used to accommodate silence, and teacher…

Researchers investigated the use of a one-way mechanical third ear communication device that allows prompting by the student teachers' supervisors during teaching. Results showed that some student teachers can and do effect immediate change in teaching behavior during the teaching process while receiving prompts via the device. (SM)

Describes development and implementation of a school-based substance abuse preventive intervention "systems approach" strategy. Interventions are selected and linked to existing school program/personnel components for reinforcement based on local needs assessment survey data. Modifications are ongoing corresponding to the results of a substance…

Reports on a study of bullying and other forms of student-caused distress among 836 secondary students in England. Finds students experienced much more peer abuse in secondary schools than in elementary schools. Also finds that males recorded a significantly higher incidence of physical abuse than did females. (CFR)

A descriptive analysis of disruptive behavior was generated from filmed observations before and after self-management training with 2 junior high students, ages 13-14, with serious emotional disturbance. Self-management training included modeling, rehearsal, and rehearsal in the apparent absence of supervision. Conditions associated with problem…

This paper cites observational and interview evidence indicating that language immersion students in the United States and Canada increasingly avoid using their second language in peer interactions as they move into higher primary grade levels. Implications for immersion programs and teachers are discussed. (32 references) (MDM)

Describes a study that focuses on the Pygmalion effect by examining how educators express their expectations to children in a kindergarten class. Indicates that educators, when cultivating high or low expectations toward the children, do not react in the same manner. (46 citations) (MAB)

A pedagogical model for transitional English bilingual classrooms was developed to meet the goals of teacher training and guidance, program evaluation, and empirical validation of bilingual theories. The model defines and integrates theoretical principles useful for pedagogical application in four dimensions: activity structures, language of…

This study examined beginning teachers' perceptions of inservice training needs. Researchers asked beginning teachers to rank the areas in which they needed the most training. The highest ranked topic was student motivation, while practical classroom management ideas and positive reinforcement ranked second. Behavior problems and diversity also…

Reports on a longitudinal study about the educational progress and behavior of 49 children in long-term foster care and a comparison group of children receiving social work support while remaining with their birth families. Finds that the children in foster care showed lower academic achievement and more behavioral problems. (CFR)

Describes Nebraska's experience with a successful prevention program to form and maintain local drug-free youth groups. Over 4,500 youths were involved at a 6-year evaluation. Results showed that the programs attracted a significant number of high-risk youths. Nearly all reported being alcohol and tobacco free in the previous month. (SM)