This report examines the results of an exploratory research study of the social competency development among multicultural students who attended an after school program administered by the Spanish Education Development Center in Washington, D.C. Three main questions were probed: (1) What social competencies are needed by multicultural children to…

The development of two new rating scales, a classroom observation schedule and a comparable student self-report questionnaire, is described. Both instruments are designed to measure group self-concept, defined as a social structure exhibiting interactions which indicate values, attitudes, and beliefs that determine the self-perception of a group,…

To determine if the greater the degree of personal or social control the individual experiences, the less likely it is that he or she will behave in a deviant, delinquent manner, 257 male and 229 female high school and introductory-level college students residing in rural Tennessee were group-tested by their instructors during regularly scheduled…

A Montana study of 46 Native American high school dropouts found salient factors were perceived irrelevance/cultural insensitivity of curricula, perceived teacher indifference/failure to help with students' work, desire to be with other dropouts, problems at home, and the requirement that students attend school for the entire senior year. (MH)

Researchers have theorized that programs to promote positive citizenship should begin with an opportunity for adolescents to participate in civic activities, such as community service or political volunteering. In this report, the authors expand this theoretical perspective by arguing that programs to promote positive citizenship may need to begin…

Violence is one of the most complex and difficult student problems in public education. It interferes with students' academic performance, career options, and personal and social growth, and threatens the safety of students and faculty. Most professionals who work in schools are not trained to deal with violence. At the same time, incidents of…

In 1975, behavior of Haskell Indian Junior College freshmen as a whole fit a pattern of cultural marginality, with traditional students exhibiting more pronounced marginal behavior than nontraditional students, reflecting the Haskell social environment. Students' ACT and GPA scores appeared meaningless, supporting the idea of an educational…

Profiles the career and contributions of Abraham Flexner, a U.S. progressive turned conservative under the influence of German higher education. Fascinated by the high standards of teaching and research at German universities, especially in the medical facilities, Flexner became a pioneer in transatlantic comparative educational studies. (MJP)

Presents a biographical profile of Heinrich Roth, a psychologist and educator who had served in the Wehrmacht's political warfare division. Roth later experienced a spiritual and professional rebirth becoming completely immersed in U.S. educational theory. He devoted the rest of his life to developing a democratically-oriented theory of learning…

Presents a theoretical framework suggesting ways to design peer intervention programs and group existing programs. Suggests criteria for effective racial awareness programs, discussing examples of successful college prejudice activities. Notes diversity education efforts are most successful when based on a theoretical model that recognizes the…

Current thinking of researchers from different disciplines about interaction among students in educational settings and the potential of peer interaction for learning and cognitive development is discussed. Topics of the eight papers presented include: potential outcomes of peer interaction, its nature, peer learning settings, and factors shaping…

Two Oakland University (Michigan) peer support programs have helped improve faculty performance in scholarship, teaching, and service by helping faculty cope with professional demands. One group orients the faculty member to the campus community and department and aids him/her in progress toward tenure and promotion. The second promotes…

Determinants of alcohol, cigarette, marijuana, and/or crack use were assessed in 2,078 fourth graders and 1,082 fifth graders (predominantly African-American urban). Patterns suggest that peer behaviors and attitudes are more influential for socially censored behaviors than for more socially approved behaviors. Perception of friends' behaviors is…

Studies student attitudes and teacher influence on educational outcomes among 137 undergraduates attending the University of California at Los Angeles. The existence of a grade-point-average perspective (emphasis on good grades over critical and analytical learning) is confirmed, and the influence of teachers on this perspective and educational…

Reviews peer-led substance-abuse prevention programs for middle school youth to determine whether they are efficacious in minimizing substance use. A meta-analysis of 120 studies examined program features and effectiveness. Results indicated that interactive peer interventions for middle school students were statistically superior to…