There were declines on achievement tests between 1972 and 1980. This study, the first part of A Study of High School Excellence, was designed to document changes in the achievement of high school seniors between 1972 and 1980, to identify the school and student factors related to these changes, and to examine the policy implications of the…

The effects of faculty training in sex equitable and effective interaction skills were assessed. Twenty-three professors participated in a two and one-half day training workshop that focused on (1) the elimination of sex-biased teacher-student interactions in the classroom; and (2) the distribution, precision, and quality of teacher responses to…

Suggestions for instructional improvement are offered for science teachers in this compilation of research summaries on specific areas of science education. This series includes the articles: (1) "Improving Students' Understanding of the Nature of Science" (discussing the relationship between teachers and students conceptions of science…

The reliability, validity, and dimensionality of the revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS) were studied with a group of 199 California college students. Other personality tests were administered to measure social anxiety, alienation, health locus of control, drinking-related locus of control, life satisfaction, and personal values. Sociodemographic…

A federally funded research project investigated the relationship between academic learning time (ALT) and achievement of 43 educable mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed, and learning-disabled students, aged 7-13, in grades 1-5. The project's final report, titled "An Analysis of the Impact of Instructional Time within Different Service…

The effectiveness of the seven-period schedule implemented at a rural high school in southwestern Virginia and the feasibility of extending the system to other high schools were assessed. Topics of study included whether students chose to take additional courses, which courses were selected, problems for students and faculty created by the…

Classroom management factors relating to group management of students and cooperation between the student and the teacher are discussed. The definition of classroom management is limited in this discussion to those managerial behaviors related to maintenance of on-task student behaviors and the reduction of off-task or disruptive behaviors.…

The Junior High School Management Improvement Study (JMIS) was a field experiment conducted to verify and extend findings of previous research in English and mathematics classes. Using student behaviors (on task, off task, and disruptive behavior) as criteria of management effectiveness, this study investigated classroom management practices in 26…

This paper looks at some factors which may affect teachers as they attempt to informally invite moral development. Such invitational education, it is noted, stresses the importance of teacher behaviors which intentionally bid students to see themselves as valuable, able, and responsible persons who can behave accordingly. Using pilot study data…

A survey was conducted on the most probable content for a course in discipline for prospective teachers at the undergraduate and graduate level. A questionnaire, containing 34 items which might be included in a discipline course, was responded to by 713 school principals and 99 professors of secondary education. Three items upon which principals…

As part of the High School and Beyond study, a large nationally representative sample of students was asked whether they lived with their mother, a stepmother, their father, or a stepfather in their sophomore year and again in their senior year of high school. Family configurations consisting of two-parent, one-parent, and stepparent families were…

The increased presence of drugs and weapons in schools has forced school officials to step up searches of students, lockers, and school property. The landmark case of "New Jersey vs. TLO" set standards concerning reasonable suspicion and reasonable searches. School officials must be familiar with recent court opinions on student…

This keynote talk addresses future trends in educational administration and reviews the ways in which attention to professional development for school administrators can help people to become better prepared for the challenges of today and tomorrow. Future trends include (1) a growing awareness of the importance of instructional leadership; (2)…

This manual is designed to train teachers to prevent and cope with disruptive student behavior. The focus is on dealing with mainstreamed students with special emotional needs. The manual's six modules can be used by instructors with a general competence in special education. The first module explores behavior values, standards and limits. Module…

An understanding of classroom learning requires careful analyses of variables constituting the learning environment. Among those most likely influencing learning are verbal behaviors, since verbal interaction is the principal mode of communication in most classrooms. Thus, the quality of verbal interaction may directly affect the amount of…