In first year college composition classes, teachers often encounter "writing-resisters"--students who enact their disrespect, students who feel they are better off flirting, students who refuse to turn in papers. In addition, there are students for whom writing seems irrelevant. Teachers can articulate to students verbally and in…

Previous research into the behavior of students while learning to program by automatically recording their actions has revealed that such recordings contain a wealth of information that can be collected together into a diagnostic tool that can support students' learning. The first step has been to construct the Coach, a software component that can…

Although most schools are safe, they all can be safer. Improving school safety requires the strategic investment of time and dollars--scarce resources for which there are competing demands. Fortunately, schools that strategically coordinate schoolwide efforts are more likely to improve academic performance as well as reduce behavior problems. This…

This book presents a 10-step guide to establishing college and university mediation services, suggesting them as an effective way to handle a wide range of campus conflicts, from conflicts in student groups to those in administrative offices. Chapter 1 reviews the basic terminology of conflict resolution, presents core dispute system design…

Many teachers feel unprepared to deal with disruptive student behavior, which can drastically decrease instructional time. This concern also contributes to general educators' reluctance to include students with emotional or behavioral disorders. Teachers will not use research-proven behavioral interventions unless they can be implemented with…

Most research on school effectiveness has focused solely on academic outcomes among pupils. In standardized educational systems, academic outcomes tend to be measured in terms of examination results. In other systems, outcomes are measured in terms of standardized ability test scores. Studies that focus on both academic and nonacademic outcomes…

During the past 20 years, several of Utah's more populous areas have developed large, immigrant, non-Mormon populations. A study examined the effects over these years of the challenges caused by such cultural diversification on Utah's previously closed educational environment. Challenges were identified specifically by examining changes in…

The behavior of students in an 8th grade class was interfering with interpersonal relationships, disrupting the classroom environment, and adversely affecting student academic performance. A lack of social skills was identified as the probable cause which was brought on by the family environment, a lack of parent participation, and economic…

This paper examines several perspectives and their implications for school social work services to prevent and deal with school failure and dropping out. It examines the different reform efforts and factors involved with dropping out of school. Much of this discussion is shaped by the personal general school social work experiences and knowledge…

This paper presents the results of a study conducted to assess differences among African American adolescents based on skin tone. It was hypothesized that the students would demonstrate differences in self-esteem, ethnic identity, and cross-cultural coping strategies based on their skin tones. One hundred thirteen African American adolescents…

This qualitative study investigated the role of the teacher in student-led literature circles by comparing the types of comments that students made when the teacher was and was not present. Comments were analyzed using specific Essential Academic Learning Requirements (Washington State, 1997) in reading and four other categories including text…

Relations among academic achievement, school bonding, school misbehavior, and cigarette use from eighth to twelfth grade were examined in two national and panel samples of youth from the Monitoring the Future project (N=3,056). A series of competing conceptual models developed a priori was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The…

As long as people have lived within groups, there have been rules and laws to govern behavior. Schools are one of the first institutions that children encounter that set standards for their behavior. Learning how to cope with school rules when they are young helps students develop social skills and a sense of responsibility and become good…

Although most schools are safe, they all can be safer. Improving school safety requires the strategic investment of time and dollars--scarce resources for which there are competing demands. Fortunately, schools that strategically coordinate schoolwide efforts are more likely to improve academic performance as well as reduce behavior problems. This…

This booklet contains 20 that address school Skills. It is designed to be used by teachers who work with troubled youth at risk for not completing high school. Each lesson plan provides a goal, a list of materials and detailed directions on how to implement the lesson. Several handouts that accompany the lessons are included. Lesson goals include:…