Maintains that, although teaching methods courses prepare prospective teachers for curriculum development, lesson planning, and instructional strategies, the first-year music teacher encounters many new and difficult situations. Presents eight guidelines for surviving and enjoying the first year of teaching. (CFR)

Explores ideas to help college educators empower students through their teaching. The article discusses assumptions of power and privilege that underlie empowerment, providing examples of how educators can disempower. Biological, psychological, and sociocultural processes of empowerment as related to race, gender, and disability are examined. (SM)

Presents findings of a qualitative study of musical learning processes. Findings are reported in terms of the nature of strategies used by children as they work with peers to solve compositional problems. Also finds that successful students moved back and forth from holistic approaches to segmented activities. (CFR)

A study investigated the relationship of social interaction and learning among women college students in a supplemental instruction program for science featuring a collaborative classroom structure. It was found that this culture of community and cooperation promoted intellectual risk-taking and connected understanding of concepts. Some new ways…

Asks whether teachers understand why students participate in music education and activities. Discusses three types of motivation: (1) incentive motivation; (2) fear motivation; and (3) intrinsic, or growth motivation. Presents three charts listing criteria for student competency in wind instruments. (CFR)

Teachers of American Indian elementary school students attended a two-week institute emphasizing integration of science instruction with culturally relevant materials and activities and use of a hands-on inquiry approach. A one-year follow-up found that initial changes in teachers' behavior and practices had largely been lost. Discusses…

After discussing the needs of high risk students in urban schools, the paper examines the similarity of problems in rural schools. An experienced teacher describes seven strategies he uses to develop self-responsibility in his rural elementary school students, including reflective thinking, peer involvement, and teacher persistence. (SM)

Parent-reported problems and competencies for national samples of 2,600 children and youth assessed at intake into mental health services were compared with 2,600 demographically matched nonreferred children assessed in a home interview study. Age, gender, regional, ethnic, and socioeconomic comparisons drawn from a new questionnaire are…

Analyzes the separate effects of father absence and mother absence on the grades and standardized test scores of high school students. Uses parents' and students' behavior and family economic status as competing intervening variables to explain the effects. Concludes that students from single-parent homes are less willing or able to meet academic…

This follow-up study evaluated 2 programs for 40 preschool children with speech disorders: a home parent training program and a clinic-based, low parent involvement program. The home parent training group performed as well or better on measures of speech, language, personal/social skills, and adaptive behavior. Program costs were similar.…

Discusses faculty professionalism from institutional, scholastic, classroom research, and pedagogical frames of reference. Stresses importance of defining two-year college faculty as professionals. Identifies two barriers to developing faculty culture: treating the above frames of references as mutually exclusive and regarding colleges in terms of…

Reviews books comprised of papers or chapters written by various authors. The books are (1) "Directors of Development: Influences on the Development of Children's Thinking"; (2) "Best Methods for the Analysis of Change: Recent Advances, Unanswered Questions"; (3) "Family Transitions"; (4) "Parent-Child Relations…

Presents study results concerning the amount and quality of effort invested by Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) students in their college experience. Lists strategies used by SBCC to increase student involvement. Discusses the importance of student contacts with faculty and peers and student involvement in out-of-class activities. (DMM)

Inquired 69 students' beliefs about registering for high school chemistry. The information was used to develop a questionnaire and persuasive messages. Among 598 target students, chemistry enrollment was higher than expected for those receiving in-class student-only materials and lower than expected for those receiving student/parent take-home…

To support and guide young children's social and emotional growth, teachers can (1) model social behavior; (2) establish environments that encourage positive social exchange; (3) encourage children to become aware of the consequences of their behavior; (4) help children produce acceptable behavior; and (5) encourage children's development of…