Examines the effects of social influences on undergraduates' decisions to leave or remain at the university where they began their higher education. Reports that, with other variables held constant, effects of social influences on students' persistence remained significant. Finds that parents and peers have stronger influence than faculty on the…

Offer framework for school wellness program focused on prevention and early intervention of eating disorders, including staff and parent involvement; assessment; classroom guidance; and structured small-group counseling sessions. Presents model for overweight students and one for normal weight students. Includes topical outline for small groups.…

Discussion of independent learning and informal interaction between students and between student and tutor focuses on a survey conducted at the Open University (United Kingdom) that explored students' attitudes and behavior in scheduled contacts as well as unscheduled, informal interaction. Student desire for additional learning support is also…

The Study Habits Inventory examined strengths and weaknesses in secondary education majors' notetaking, studying, and test-taking skills and found students were well-prepared to teach important studying and testing skills. Research indicates that prospective teachers' academic skills may positively affect their achievement in academic settings.…

Some schools are replacing rule-bound discipline programs with instruction that helps students make ethical judgments and decisions. A recent review of 40 classroom-management studies finds teachers responsible for designing lessons that engage and motivate students, communicating procedural expectations, and using unobtrusive techniques to hold…

Discusses how teachers can help children who are struggling with loss. Suggestions include creating links with families, making time to talk, enforcing loving limits, keeping administrators informed, creating a sense of community within the class, assigning the children new roles, and teaching the children about therapeutic reading, writing, and…

Examined effectiveness of human immunodeficiency virus sexual risk-reduction approach with college women (n=213). Trained opinion leaders were modestly effective in promoting safer sex precautions and altering community norms around safer sex behavior among women, providing support for peer influence model. Women in long relationships reported…

A study of 171 college students investigated dishonesty in dating and attitudes, behaviors, and sexual practices as related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Results indicated more men were unfaithful to or lied to their partners, and more women inquired about past sexual histories prior to sexual…

Patterns of motivation and social behavior among children working in pairs at microcomputers were investigated over 4 months by observing 53 male and 42 female kindergarten students and 4 female teachers. Almost no gender differences were apparent. Results suggest that introducing computers at this age might reduce the predominance of male…

Describes a classroom procedure that induces cognitive dissonance in students by pointing out inconsistencies between their behavior and attitudes. Argues that this technique makes teaching about cognitive dissonance easier. Reports that students positively evaluated the effectiveness of the activity. (CFR)

Assessed the effects of a proactive instructional approach to school-wide discipline in common areas of an urban elementary school of 555 students on the social interactions of students and referrals for disciplinary action. Results show a clear improvement in social behavior that was maintained throughout the experiment. (SLD)

Examines the effects of an instructional video on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of high school students concerning Lyme disease. Results indicate a positive and sustained increase of students' knowledge as a result of the short intervention but show less positive results for the long-term effect on students' attitudes and behaviors.…

A model of school achievement that included intellectual ability, preschool behavior, and cognitive self-control was tested through structural equation modeling with 291 kindergarten children. Children who were less aggressive or more prosocial exerted better cognitive self-control over their school tasks, and cognitive self-control was positively…

Reports on a study that presented rehearsal excerpts demonstrating the presence or absence of specific teaching attributes, asked subjects to evaluate them in each category, and compared subjects' ratings with data demonstrating the presence or absence of those attributes. Presents results based on the evaluation of 10 categories of student and…

Determined the prevalence of health-risk behaviors among Texas high school students attending dropout prevention/recovery alternative schools. Student surveys indicated that a substantial number participated in behaviors that placed them at acute or chronic health risk. There were differences in prevalence of risk behaviors by gender,…