Examined effects of student temperament, instructional method (computer versus teacher), and interaction between 2 on observed off-task behavior and problem-solving performance among 78 kindergarten students. Found that students with highest Task Orientation exhibited almost no off-task behaviors with either method, whereas students with lowest…

Presents strategies for banishing behavior problems in the classroom and creating a positive learning environment. The behaviors include name calling; hitting and pushing; tattling; poking and touching; overactivity; talking back; complaining about no playmates; being unprepared to work; and lying, cheating, and stealing. On-the-spot solutions are…

Examined how resident directors (RDs) and residential assistants (RAs) defined and enforced college alcohol policy in three freshman residence halls. Findings suggest that alcohol violations vary with academic quarters, that recidivism varies with alacrity of RD sanctions, and that RAs' reporting practices vary with gender. (Author/NB)

Compared five-week psychoeducational modules on substance abuse with control group modules to determine whether psychoeducational module would influence undergraduates' substance use knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Findings from 99 students revealed that only major difference between treatment and control subjects was that treatment subjects…

In response to Alberta's Educational Quality Indicators initiative, Lethbridge Catholic Schools developed and validated a taxonomy of student affective behaviors that reflect learning or development in the areas of self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, world awareness, motivation, and spiritual life. Measures developed include classroom…

This commentary addresses the role of behavior and learning in children's liking and eating of vegetables and candy, discussing the results from research with preschool children concerning their development of food preferences and the social context of eating. Practical applications of the research results for schools are presented. (SM)

Observation of 143 families with children in early/midchildhood had greater predictive power than self-report. Boys' school behavior and academic performance were more influenced by parents' marital relationship and family organization. Girls were more influenced by marital communication style and the affective quality of family interaction. (SK)

Discusses study that assessed developmental students' adjustment to college using the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ). Findings revealed that student SACQ scores fell below the means of the norm sample on the Personal-Emotional, Attachment, and Social subscales. There was also a significant difference in scores, with regard to…

Examines Scottish teachers' perceptions of indiscipline in 1990 and 1996. Survey results suggest that low-level misbehaviors remained the same but verbal abuse toward the teacher increased. Violence against teachers was rare. Findings are placed in the context of research on discipline, policy of social exclusion, and teacher reactions to…

Culture influences expectations about classroom goals. The cultural distinction between individualism and collectivism is one factor that affects students' adjustment from home to school. Article suggests teachers and counselors may want to capitalize on students' cultural tendencies, but also plan for ways to expand students' repertories of…

Survey data from 4,285 students in 31 colleges and universities indicates students at schools with academic honor codes view the issue of academic integrity in a fundamentally different way than do students at non-honor code institutions. This difference seems to stem from the presence of an honor code and its influence on the way students think…

Most young people who harass and bully sexual minorities are not hate-filled extremists, but ignoramuses. Anti-gay slurs can escalate to violence. A California principal's discussion of Leroy Aarons's "Prayers for Bobby" with staff raised awareness of school safety and the need to value every student. (MLH)

Examined the effect of the "Sex Can Wait" curriculum series on students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to sexuality. Surveys of students in intervention schools and schools with traditional sex-education programs indicated that at the elementary and middle school level, the intervention program produced greater gains, but in high…

Conflict resolution has moved into the classroom. Peaceful conflict resolution includes negotiation, peer mediation, and arbitration. Data on conflict-resolution programs have turned up interesting objectives and outcomes. Curriculum approaches include classroom discipline, peace education, multicultural perspective, and just community. Teaching…

Examines the relationships among the sociability of children, their dyadic problem-solving behavior, and their subsequent level of individual performance. Finds that sociable children more often initiate collaboration; less sociable children exhibit more individualistic behavior; and collaboration effects on individual performance vary by the…