Discusses what to do when substance-abuse-prevention efforts for adolescents fail, examining differences between normal experimentation and substance abuse, how to spot a problem, where to turn for help, how to get adolescents into treatment, treatment options, and aftercare for continuing support. One sidebar explains that no drugs are harmless;…

Surveys of preservice teachers explored their concepts of caring and order. Results indicated that they thought about achieving order in terms of management rather than pedagogy or interpersonal relationships. They saw caring in terms of interpersonal relationships rather than pedagogy or management. There were significant differences by status…

Discusses reasons for school violence, examining critical aspects of the culture of school violence (a dominator value system that supports violence, overemphasis on negativity, and pervasiveness of bullying). The paper describes differences between bullying and normal peer conflict and notes short- and long-term effects of bullying.…

Assessed lifetime and recent alcohol use among fifth graders, examining students' attitudes and beliefs concerning alcohol. Surveys of 813 students indicated that 48.9 percent had ever tried alcohol, and 17.9 percent had consumed alcohol in the past 30 days. Significant differences in alcohol-related attitudes and beliefs were found according to…

Discusses a three-fold approach to using rewards successfully in the music classroom: (1) teaching children appropriate behavior; (2) helping students discover the cause and effect relationship between behavior and rewards; and (3) choosing rewards that reinforce learning for individuals and the entire class. (CMK)

Describes adolescents' use of school-based health clinics (SBCs) for family planning and sexually transmitted disease (STD)-related services, using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Results indicated that 13 percent received family planning and 8.9 percent received STD-related services from SBCs. Factors affecting the…

Investigated the effects of early participation in the Chicago Child-Parent Center and Expansion Program on school dropout. Comparison of low-income children from program sites and comparison sites indicates that preschool participation relates to reduction in dropout rate. Participation for 5 or 6 years relates to reduction in early school…

Examines the relationship between class attendance in a nursing course and its effect on grades achieved. Studies nine classes, and finds a definite relationship between attendance and grades. Suggests that multiple factors beyond absenteeism significantly influenced the grades achieved in other classes. (VWC)

Explores effects of parents' and friends' behavior in verbal interactions with adolescents' concerning their school achievement. Finds that parental behavior aimed at control in family interactions had a negative effect on adolescents' school achievement, whereas the same type of behavior shown by best friends resulted in an improvement of school…

The practice of identifying violence-prone students via checklists of personal characteristics and behaviors is accompanied by unanswered questions, recognized weaknesses, and serious implementation implications (for special services, suspensions and expulsions, and student rights). Stereotyping, discrimination, and wrongful identification of…

In 1994, Long Beach (California) Unified School District began requiring uniforms in all elementary and middle schools. Now, half of all urban school systems and many suburban schools have uniform policies. Research on uniforms' effectiveness is mixed. Tightened dress codes may be just as effective and less litigious. (MLH)

Social behavior of 122 students in grades 6-8 who participate in a prevention program for behaviorally at-risk youth was rated by a parent, general education teacher, and at-risk program teacher. Parents and special program teachers were more likely to provide positive ratings of behaviors than their general education teachers. (Author/CR)

Believes that special attention should be paid to the problems of ecological upbringing of Russian children. Views ecological upbringing as a continuing and systematic process throughout the school years in which children interact with the natural environment. Focuses on the need to shape elementary children's awareness of ecological concerns.…

Believes that the key to solving the problems in the schools (the shootings and low-achievement levels) is by trying to understand the current generation of students. Maintains that the means to understanding students is for teachers to visit the various schools in their communities and share their time with those students (CMK)

Discusses the role of peer interaction in the music classroom through the observations of how sixth-grade students accomplish the "Canon no. 40" improvisation and composition assignment. Concludes that peer interaction was a key element in the students' learning and provides the lesson plan for "Canon no. 40." (CMK)