A study investigated the learning of consumer skills by adolescents, using two theoretical approaches--the social learning and the family communication pattern approaches. It was hypothesized that (1) assuming that parents are more experienced consumers than are adolescents, frequent discussion with parents on consumption matters are likely to…

Over the last two decades, there has been a growing body of research evidence suggesting important benefits to be gained by elementary-age schoolchildren when their parents provide support, encouragement, and direct instruction in the home and school and maintain good communication with the school and related organizations. Involvement is often a…

The purpose of this study was to examine the potential impact of maternal attributions and self-attributions on the academic achievement of father-absent children in comparison to commonly identified family interaction and demographic variables. Subjects included 33 male and 34 female father-absent sixth graders (mean age of 11.6 years) and their…

After explaining why more choice among schools is a good idea, this paper provides details and evaluations of state plans for increasing choice in schools, delineates the characteristics of a desirable school choice plan, and advises parents on choosing schools. Current school choice policies in the following states are briefly summarized: Alaska,…

Elementary and secondary school teachers were asked to rate the sources that influence their decisions on what they teach in their subject areas. Possible influential sources were identified as: (1) district consultants; (2) state or district recommended textbooks; (3) state curriculum guides; (4) commercially prepared materials; (5) teachers' own…

Case studies of three Philippine villages were undertaken to find the impact of schools on youths (both in and out of school), parents, graduates, and community. Educational alternatives included the barrio high school (general academic/college preparatory), pilot barrio development school (secondary school for youths who intend to stay in the…

In this paper, logistic response models of the effects of parental socioeconomic characteristics and family structure on the probability of making selected school transitions for white American males are estimated by maximum likelihood. Transition levels examined include: (l) completion of elementary school; (2) attendance at high school; (3)…

The postsecondary plans and aspirations of twelfth grade students in Manitoba, Canada were surveyed in 1980. In addition to the general post-high school plans (college attendance, employment, and other options), specific information was obtained on their institutional and program choices if further schooling was to be pursued. The influence of…

Parents experience parenthood as a state of personal growth, and share common concerns about their children and the parenting experience, according to a study of 30 middle class couples in a midwestern university community. Some of the common themes noted in group conversations about the subjective experience of parenthood include the recognition…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 20 titles deal with a variety of topics, including the following: children's sociolinguistics skills, ability to sequence verbal expressions, analogical abilities, and learning and application of the principle for nouns; Basil…

The purpose of this study was to identify the most important factors related to the problem of women's participation in mathematics and to determine the relative importance of those factors to guide future research and intervention efforts. The vehicle was a national survey of 1,452 13-year-olds and 1,788 high school seniors. Data collection…

THE MAJOR EMPHASIS OF THE STUDY WAS UPON THE HYPOTHESIS THAT, AMONG ADOLESCENT BOYS, STRONG ORIENTATION TOWARD THE FATHER AND DISINTEREST IN THE YOUTH CULTURE WILL PREDICT INVOLVEMENT IN THE COLLEGE-BOUND HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM, AND CONVERSELY, WEAK ORIENTATION TOWARD THE FATHER AND HIGH INVOLVEMENT IN THE YOUTH CULTURE WILL PREDICT POTENTIAL DROPOUT…

The purpose of this first year report of the Region IV Parent Education Demonstration Project (PEDP) is to help other school systems as they plan and conduct parent/child programs. The Region IV PEDP involved 29 local school systems which were conducting 31 parent education programs through various funding sources. These parent programs had as one…

In the midst of a trend toward uniformity of education, parents, teachers, community groups, and government groups are struggling for control over what that education shall be. Regarding problems concerning religious and ethical education, the courts' interpretations of the establishment clause ultimately conflict with interpretations of the free…

A review of the research literature on parents as teachers yields several conclusions concerning the context and function of the family in the child's learning and development: (1) the parent-as-educator functions in the context of a complex family eco-system which interfaces efficiently or inefficiently with other systems, such as the school; (2)…