Absenteeism of 130 direct-care staff in a residential facility for developmentally disabled persons was reduced by 27 percent through positive reinforcement for reliable attendance and punishment (progressive discipline) for attendance abuse. Reduced absenteeism was maintained for 12 months and overtime was reduced, but staff turnover increased.…

Teachers used a nonexclusionary time-out package emphasizing ongoing participation to treat inappropriate social behaviors in 4 classrooms of roughly 16 preschool children each. Behavior improved in terms of several measures including direct observation. Opinions of treatment acceptability from a survey of 210 lay people were also found to support…

Parents of highly gifted children are encouraged to use resources found in the work of Leta Hollingworth (1886-1939) as they cope with child-rearing challenges in the areas of emotional needs, discipline, and problems associated with school such as avoiding negative attitudes toward authority. (DB)

Inmates engaged in a televised instructional program (n=360) had significantly lower recidivism than nonparticipants. No differences in behavior as measured by disciplinary actions were found. Because of uncontrolled variables (employment and educational level), causal inferences could not be made. (SK)

Examines three theories of research--mechanistic, organismic, and contextual--and concludes that a contextual world view would give the multidisciplinary field of home economics a unified focus. (SK)

Teachers can solve discipline problems, motivate students, and improve their own teaching by using writing assignments for communication purposes. Students get a chance to talk on paper, reflect on a situation, and avoid detention. Free writing can motivate students to do assignments and participate in class activities. Writing assignment…

Analyzes content and process in Western historiography. Provides a diagram that explains variations in historical approaches: inquiry moves from small to large scale; and philosophies range from the humanistic to social-scientific. Examines four historians whose work exemplifies these points on the continuum. Suggests synthesis of humanistic and…

Presents an overview and statistical profile of currently available CD-ROM databases. Trends in the following areas are discussed: types of databases available (index, source, reference, full text, numeric, software and images); subject areas covered by databases; update frequency; and pricing. A list of key publishers and software is provided.…

After a six-month investigation that found a pattern of academic abuses in North Carolina State University's men's basketball program, the University of North Carolina system's Board of Governors has adopted a broad package of sports reforms. Some of these recommendations are presented. (MLW)

Examining the existence of an identifiable domain of adult education, this article considers the increasing diversity of practice, the methodological and philosophical problems involved, changing concepts and aims of adult education, and the current climate of relativism. Proposes the concept of tradition, which helps define paradigms that change…

Six features are identified as common to modern universities and their medieval counterparts. A brief account of the range and complexity of university reforms is given, and deep reforms are accounted for in terms of the university's essential or presuppositional structure. (IAH)

Reviews speeches by former APA presidents to follow the historical development of psychology to its present status as an accepted science and profession. Discusses the nature of psychology as a discipline, science, and profession. Considers problems in the field and possible societal benefits from field research. (JS)

Claims that modern science is radically incoherent and that this incoherence lies within the practice of science. Details the work of the scientist and philosopher Charles Sanders Pierce, expounding on the difference between Rene Descartes' dualistic philosophy and Pierce's triadic view. Concludes with a brief description of the human existence.…

An elementary physical education teacher describes a successful behavior improvement program implemented at his school. Students earned points (tokens) for good behavior and physical education achievement. They lost points for inappropriate behavior. Donated prizes were awarded based on accumulated points. (IAH)

Due to an error made in printing Professor Zirkel's "Special Education Law; Recent Developments" in Volume 48 (October 13, 1988), these updates to the article are printed. Citations are organized under the following major sections: (1) diagnosis and placement; (2) treatment issues; (3) financial issues; and (4) gifted students. (MLF)