Describes a form of brief strategic intervention for seventh graders with a history of excessive absenteeism. Presents intervention goals, the necessity of getting the parent(s) involved, identifying the barriers, and removing the barriers. Provides three case samples and discusses preconditions for success. (RJM)

This follow-up article outlines goals, principles, and techniques for improving curriculum and instruction for secondary students with learning disabilities so that the following affective goals are fostered: intrinsic motivation, internal locus of control, academic and social self-concept, self-esteem, a sense of competence and confidence, an…

Teachers and parents rated the developmental status of 225 preschool children with and without disabilities on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale. The study found a significant correlation between teacher and parent ratings for children with severe disabilities but not for children with mild/moderate or no disabilities. (DB)

Uses Safer Choices--a school-based program for preventing HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy--to examine methodological issues in large-scale school-based health promotion research, discussing randomization of small numbers of units; reasons for using a cohort or cross-sectional design; and analysis of data by appropriate…

Proposes a conceptual framework based on attachment theory and parenting styles typology for examining the relationship between family context variables and the development of self-regulation skills. Also presents initial findings from a study of the parental practices and values associated with academic self-regulation in college students.…

Discusses the overwhelmingly positive evidence from experience and research which suggests that a multiage environment can be superior to one of age-segregated class levels. Illuminates the logic of educating students in mixed-age groups (called multiage) by discussing the academic and social advantages, the affective benefits, and the positive…

A transient lifestyle, combined with emotional and behavior problems, often precipitates foster children's poor academic performance. Cooperation with child welfare workers is essential, as shown by the success rate of California's Foster Youth Services, Seattle's private social-service agency Treehouse, and New York City's Safe and Smart program.…

Presents four articles illustrating the impact of children's changing schools: (1) "Managing Changes in Primary Teachers" (Carla Gwinn); (2) "Losing a Child from a Primary Teaching Group: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do!" (Brooke Harrington); (3) "What to Say to Children Who Are Leaving" (Kay Albrecht); and (4) "Those Bonds Remain Forever" (Linda…

Examined the relevancy of group social functioning to individual social, academic, and psychological adjustment in China. Found that social functioning--including sociability, aggression, and shyness-inhibition--of group peers had unique contributions to individual social and school adjustment and adjustment problems, and that contributions of…

Reviews assumptions encountered in connection with the teaching of writing in English as a Second or Foreign Language at university level. The article argues that the central issue is a problem of cross-cultural communication rather than a strictly pedagogical one and that teachers' expectations, not students' behavior, must change. (26…

Examines the extent to which substantial differences in the attitudes of children from the same family are mediated by nonshared environmental processes or by genetic factors. Results suggested that parental and sibling negativity is significantly related to adolescent adjustment through nonshared environmental processes, although genetic factors…

Describes the use of rock music lyrics to illustrate and personify key concepts in a Sociology of Deviant Behavior, course. Includes examples of the lyrics, related sociological issues, and ways that the combination facilitated class discussion. Student response was consistently favorable. (MJP)

This study investigated whether 12 professional development school (PDS) teachers changed their perceptions of roles and responsibilities and adjusted their performances to meet this redefinition as a result of participation in an elementary school/university collaborative. Findings suggest that teachers created and maintained three roles:…

Recommends music teachers setting up management systems that delegate some tasks to others in order to accomplish their myriad duties and avoid burnout. Contains numerous examples of delegated tasks, including student self-governing systems and home practice systems. Describes how some tasks can be handled by student organizations. (MJP)

Presents a statistical record of African American progress in higher education in the United States, including equity issues, the state of racial inequality, and financial needs. Comparative trends are provided concerning population, health, academic testing, and participation in sports between African Americans and whites; enrollments in…