Observed the playground behavior and social interaction of 27 kindergarten children in a university laboratory school, focusing on the children's ability to successfully negotiate social interactions. Found that communication skills, ability to recognize and understand others' emotions and needs, and self-confidence are critical to positive social…

Discusses four pedagogical issues that arise in teaching policy analysis to undergraduates. Describes three components of the case method approach. Outlines areas where the case method approach improved student performance and identifies its limitations. (CFR)

Examined developmental and gender differences in relations between drug use and problem behavior. Found grade-related differences for 10 of the 18 substances investigated. Alcohol use showed the highest association with problem behavior. Girls who exhibited problem behaviors used or experimented with a wider variety of substances when compared to…

Social competence of elementary students (n=141) with learning disabilities, low achievement, or average to high achievement was examined. Ratings of social skills, peer acceptance, behavior problems, and self-perceptions were gathered from students, teachers, parents, and peers. Learning disability and low achievement groups were…

Obtained peer nominations, teacher reports, and self-reports for 423 sixth and seventh graders. Compared to sociometrically average status students, neglected students reported higher levels of motivation and were described by teachers as being more self-regulated, more prosocial, and better liked. Aggressive-rejected, but not submissive-rejected,…

This high school language arts teacher combined the ideas of Total Quality Management (TQM) with traditional and cooperative learning techniques in his Journalism I class. Students used the process to create a quality paper. Students exhibited fewer behavior problems and greater interest, enthusiasm, and pride in their work. (JB)

Argues that examinations and assignments shape the way students learn, read, write, and think, and that authentic testing is the most powerful step toward improved student learning. Assignments must pose real questions addressed by practitioners in the discipline in question, must make scholarly sense, and must challenge students to perform rather…

Examines how to translate health education's current shift to a community orientation into practical, replicable action steps forward in college peer health education, describing four assumptions in peer health education and explaining a curriculum to reshape the philosophy of peer health education programs into a community and service oriented…

Examined the role of two psychosocial stressors, self-concept and alcohol-related attitudes, in mediating alcohol use among Hispanic junior high school students and explored the link between the two factors in early adolescence. Concluded that Hispanic adolescents with more positive self-concepts and attitudes are less likely to use alcohol or to…

The article describes the Peer Health Education (PHE) programs of the University of California at Santa Barbara Student Health Service. The PHE programs involve training and placement components and focus on relationships, nutrition, eating disorders, stress and laughter, alcohol/drug responsibility, cold care, sexuality, leadership, blood…

The seven chapters of this special issue identify research issues related to sex differences and mathematics achievement in an international context and consider some possible explanations, including neuropsychological differences, learning strategies, and attitudes. Recommendations are made for educational policy, curriculum development, and…

This article describes a federally funded model self-determination project for students with severe emotional disabilities/behavioral disorders (SED/BD). The project promotes self-determination through instruction in problem solving, self-assertiveness, and self-management skills, and utilizes cross-age peer tutoring involving college students…

Explores the effect of variations in caregiver sensitivity on the timing of their severely and profoundly deaf infants' acquisition of communication skills. Found that caregivers of deaf infants showed considerable variation in comparison to the caregivers of normally hearing infants. Contextual factors of a dynamic nature operate with varying…

Examines the effects of persistent economic hardship on children. Both black and white children who experienced persistent family economic hardship demonstrated problems in peer relations, showed conduct problems at school, and reported low self-esteem. Connections between persistent economic hardship and psychosocial adjustment were more…

Maintains that children's ability to understand and use narrative precedes their ability to understand and use other genres. Asserts that the link between history and narrative is overlooked in discussions about children's historical understanding. Argues that children should use narrative. (CFR)