Examined the nature and stability of teacher ratings of early learning-related social skills in 72 preschoolers (3 to 4 years old) and again 1 year later. Confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modeling revealed that a construct labeled "learning-related social skills," tapping self-control, cooperation, assertion, and…

Presents 10 ideas for service learning projects designed for elementary schools. Includes having students do local history projects complete with interviews and artifacts, learn about community volunteering, interact with the elderly, care for the environment, recycle materials, and hold canned food drives. (MJP)

Describes how educators and families can foster children's sense of responsibility. Activities noted include interactions that support responsibility, such as asking questions that enable children to see some responsible choices; strategies that encourage learning, such as offering challenging, engaging learning opportunities in an interactive…

Focuses on the problems accompanying the transition of students between secondary and postsecondary levels of foreign language study. Points out that the inconsistencies found in placement procedures among Florida's universities and community colleges suggest a need for discussion and collaboration. (23 references) (Author/CK)

With state budgets in trouble across the United States, many school districts have already been hit with midyear cuts. Morale is the first and biggest issue administrators and school boards have to tackle. Successful leaders must be able to forecast what lies ahead and plan for the future. Good communication with staff and the public is crucial to…

An interim principal can buy a school district time to land a permanent successor. Also lists where to find an interim principal; the interim's steadying influence; Bob Wallace's wild ride as an interim principal in post-retirement; and Roger Prosise's rationale for turning to an interim appointment. (MLF)

Examines administration, motivation, and compensation among educational leaders. Discusses the high-stakes, high-stress jobs of superintendents, assistant superintendents, subject-area supervisors, principals, and assistant principals. Also looks at the role of school board members and the importance of teamwork in education. (Contains one table…

Identified teacher characteristics and competencies perceived beneficial for preventing substance use among students. Integrated qualities into questionnaire and administered to 65 individuals with expertise in substance use prevention/intervention field. Found Teacher-Student Relations was most important aspect of teacher comportment, followed by…

Focuses on the population of children with HIV infection who require special education. Discusses strategies for litigation using the Education of the Handicapped Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation to prevent unlawful discrimination against these children. (MLF)

Discusses the role of elementary school staff in child-abuse discovery and reporting in Ontario and Michigan. Explores the impact of the abuse issue on relationships based on principals reports. Discusses interactions between principals and the following participants: (1) social services; (2) school staff; (3) children; and (4) children's…

Looks at the general legal entitlements of preschool handicapped children. Discusses school districts' responsibilities regarding accepting applications for service; evaluating the child; and devising a placement. Concludes with a discussion of legal remedies available when school districts fail to comply with their duties. (MLF)

The Learning Disabilities Program at Arizona State University stresses development of independence and responsibility, self-advocacy skills, and realistic self-knowledge. Program services and the faculty perspective are described. Recommendations are made to assist learning-disabled students in developing survival skills before entering college.…

Explores ways in which public schools, which are supposed to be universally accessible moral communities, engage in patterns of systematic exclusion. Presents three case studies of secondary schools in which issues of exclusion of groups of students have arisen concerning ideologies of merit, choice, and tradition. (JS)

Examines relationship between parents' perceived responsibility for supporting children's social skills and competence at promoting those skills; relationship between parents' perceived responsibility and competence and children's perceived and actual competence; consistency between teachers' and parents' ratings of children's competence and…

Maintains that teachers have a responsibility to educate themselves and their students about the AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) virus and the use of various publications and in-service teacher training programs as means of preventing the spread of AIDS. (BB)