The case method should be used in both preservice and inservice training for administrators to strengthen training programs and help administrators develop practical human relations skills, learn stress reduction and burnout prevention strategies, learn team-building, and develop critical and reflective thinking skills. (14 references) (MLH)

To fill a gap in administrator preparation, a human relations pilot course was developed for the Educational Administration and Supervision program at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville during summer 1990. The two-week workshop format provided both graduate students and practicing administrators a chance to create a supportive…

Explored the relationship between the cognitive style and the sociability of 76 5-year-old Mexican Americans in 5 public school kindergarten classrooms. Main effects were found in play behaviors, selection of play areas, perspective taking, social competence, and sociometric nominations. (Author/LB)

Used qualitative research methodology to interpret 126 adolescents' responses to questions about their views on peace. Eighth grade students in Australia, Canada, and the United States identified underlying causes and behavioral indications of potential for war and provided prescriptions for peace. Subjects viewed skills in interpersonal…

Descriptive and functional analysis of the bizarre speech of an adult with moderate mental retardation found that bizarre speech appeared to function as an attention-producing behavior. Two different yet functionally equivalent treatments (noncontingent scheduled attention and social language skill development) were found to be effective in…

This study compared responses to a survey on critical social behaviors completed by 79 persons who had prior experience with employees with mental retardation and 59 persons without such experience. Findings revealed that prior experience did not appear to affect ratings though other factors, such as knowing the purpose of the survey, did…

Fifteen preschool children with mild mental retardation (developmental delays) were observed during play with nondisabled peers. Children with delays showed less social play, more disruptive entry, more regressive behaviors, and less positive affect; their level of social play related to developmental age and communication ability but not to…

Seven articles in this theme issue discuss how to enhance leadership skills through mentoring, the pitfalls of leadership education, teachers' role, leadership for handicapped learners, and the impact of Future Farmers of America on development of student leaders. (SK)

Examines age differences in control beliefs for several domains, including intellectual aging and memory, for 200 adults aged 20-89 years. In domains of health and intellectual aging, older adults have lower internal control and higher external control beliefs than young and middle-age adults. A memory training program is described. (SLD)

This study interviewed 56 resident advisors at the Rochester (New York) Institute of Technology to explore the integration of deaf and hearing students on campus. Hearing students identified specific factors as contributing to positive interaction, including awareness of cultural diversity, communication sensitivity, effective communication…

Three seven-year-old males with autism included in social skills groups with nonhandicapped peers were successfully trained in such social skills as initiating, responding, keeping interactions going, greeting, conversing, giving and accepting compliments, taking turns and sharing, asking for help and helping others, and including others in…

This study of three groups of students from kindergarten through third grade found that students with learning disabilities or with low achievement did not differ significantly on social skills or behavior problems over time, though both groups demonstrated more behavior problems and lower social skills than the average/high achievement students.…

Phase 1 of this study found that, among fourth and fifth graders, submissive children who were rejected by peers reported less positive beliefs about peers than did children of average status. In phase 2, no relationship between children's sociometric status and their beliefs about unfamiliar peers was found. (BC)

Peer nominations and teacher ratings of children's social behaviors were obtained for 36 preschoolers during their first, second, and third years in preschool. Peer nominations showed stability across time, and teacher ratings correlated with peer nominations. (MDM)

The Kentucky Beginning Principal Intern Program provides supervision, assistance, and assessment for determining the effective instructional leadership abilities of new/beginning principals, emphasizing instructional leadership, school management, interpersonal skills, and professional responsibilities. Supporting intern committees complete three…