Educators' avoidance of the racism issue has two damaging consequences for the classroom: diverting minority students' attention from academic pursuits and sending White students the message that racial prejudice is acceptable. Educators meed to counteract the racism problem by clearly articulating expectations, punishing racist behaviors, and…

Baby Boom parents' high incomes and stratospheric expectations often combine to confound the most seasoned school administrators. These parents are criticized for shifting parental responsibility to schools and overstressing their children's academic achievement. For all their hyperactivity, many upscale parents do care and have considerable…

The most effective teachers have the fewest discipline problems. Instead of enlisting professional discipline gurus, principals should heed proponents of effective teaching and mastery learning. When the learning is meaningful, the motivation is provided, and the teaching is appropriate, behavior problems seldom occur. Includes seven references.…

A teacher cites her positive experiences with a pupil whose school record reported severe behavior problems to argue that teachers should not read student records until they have formed their own impressions of each student. Teachers should also be very careful and clear about what they write into students' records. (CB)

Focusing on the University of Wisconsin budgeting system, this paper studies the interrelationship between political and institutional forces of conformity. Institutionalization processes as expressed through the budget seem to be infused with power and self-interest within the organization and in extraorganizational relations. Includes 64…

Results are reported from a study in which 113 teacher education students and 131 inservice teachers were surveyed regarding their conceptions about teaching. Descriptions of good teaching by both groups emphasized interpersonal/affective variables. Students tended to engage in unrealistic optimism about future teaching performance. (IAH)

Examined college students' summer employment aspirations, expectations, and information preferences among 115 college students. Found aspirations, expectations, and information preferences to be correlated with students' perception of control over life events. These findings have implications for counseling professionals. (Author/NB)

One hundred thirteen elementary students were tested using four standardized instruments; their teachers rated each student on eight bipolar constructs and predicted scores. Results indicate that students who are perceived positively receive higher score predictions, even when academic competence is controlled. Boys seemed to be especially subject…

The Skills for Growing pilot program was launched in 10 U.S. and Canadian schools during 1987-1988. This research-based project is founded on six philosophical assumptions: administrative leadership, positive expectations, visible rewards, a trusting climate, community involvement, and student participation. The program curriculum is described.…

The Comer Model is the catalyst that helped turn around a Newport News, Virginia, primary school. Founded by James Comer in the late 1960s, the model stresses schooling's main purpose--advancing students' social, emotional, academic development toward the goal of successful citizenship. This can be achieved through a collaborative,…

A survey was conducted of 38 employers' expectations and evaluation of job performance of workers with mild intellectual disability in Hong Kong. Of 25 work-related attributes, employer ratings showed that employees with intellectual disabilities exceeded expectations in 7 aspects and performed below expectation in 5 aspects. (Author/DB)

In interviews with 44 older learners and 11 teachers, reciprocity emerged as central to teacher-learner relationships. Responses identified the affective and cognitive dimensions of what is given by teachers and learners and what is expected and received by them. (SK)

Environmental and contextual influences shape academic and career interests through their impact on self-efficacy beliefs and outcome expectations. Stereotypes, gender-role expectations, and peer pressure may truncate adolescent career choices, especially those forming gay or lesbian sexual identities. (SK)

In a survey, 214 of 232 Mississippi county extension coordinators, staff, and district/state administrators rated coordinators' administrative roles as important but had different expectations and perceptions of behavior for role performance. Inservice training should clarify expectations and emphasize four roles: program administration and…

Results of a study with children ages three to eight indicated that children's understanding of the concept of surprise changes between three and five years of age. Younger children employed a principle of desirability, whereas older children employed principles of belief violation, indicating that children's understanding of the concept of…