Social-cognitive, cognitive-motivational, and situational factors influencing children's effectiveness in using adults and other children as learning resources (help-seeking) are considered. Effective help-seeking can meet the dual developmental needs of minority students, specifically African-Americans, for autonomy and social support. (SLD)

Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress indicate that school characteristics as well as individual actions of students help to explain differences between 661 high-achieving and 1,894 low-achieving African-American eighth graders. Process variables connected with schooling rather than family background explain differences in…

Studies the prevalence of self-reported drug use behavior related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the effects of school-based HIV instruction and HIV knowledge on these behaviors in a probability sample of 8,098 high school students. HIV knowledge and instruction may help sustain low drug use. (SLD)

Presents results of study of British elementary school boys aged seven to nine, comparing disruptive behavior to heart rate. Distinguishes this study from earlier ones that found relationship between low base heart rates and low reactivity to mild stress among high school boys. Reports that this study disproves prediction that results would be…

Reviews questions to consider when providing academic advising in two-year colleges, addressing student academic requirements, transfer and degree interests, certainty of plans, time, financial resources, and parental or other external pressures. Discusses advisement strategies, including goal setting, decision-making techniques, and group…

Discusses a survey of nonreturning students at Cuyamaca College (California), distinguishing between positive attrition (successful nonreturners) and negative attrition (unsuccessful nonreturners). Compares two groups in terms of goals, employment, satisfaction with college, high school performance, gender, and ethnicity. Recommends…

Examined effects of ethnic background on group interaction and student-teacher relations by observing 273 Turkish, Surinam, and Dutch 4-year olds and their teachers in 29 Dutch schools. Found Turkish and Surinam pupils were less involved in group activities than Dutch children and, in play situations, teachers appeared to give more attention to…

Argues that social studies teacher educators verbally promote the concept of social studies as education for democratic citizenship but do not practice democracy in their classrooms. Contends that social studies teacher education programs should be considered as an apprenticeship in democracy. Acknowledges that this approach is not easy to…

Preservice teachers observed 288 elementary students during language arts instruction. High achievers spent twice as much time as low achievers completely involved in work, although low achievers spent three times as much time as high achievers definitely not involved in work. The effectiveness of curricular tasks in promoting expected behavior is…

The information presented draws on data from the annual American Council on Education-UCLA Cooperative Research Institutional Program survey of college freshmen. Data cover grades and self-assessments, majors and careers, degree aspirations, reasons for attending college, political and social attitudes, and life goals and values. (Author/MLW)

Interviews with and observation of six behaviorally disordered aggressive adolescents revealed that students perceived teachers as helpful when they engaged in specific aspects of teacher-student communication and flexible academic and behavioral program implementation. They perceived teachers' rigidity and use of discipline as unhelpful. Student…

Contends that the typical approach to immigration in U.S. history may not be interesting or exciting to students. Describes an interdisciplinary program using primary sources and computer databases to encourage student participation and enhance academic achievement. Includes three appendices with information and raw data used in the program. (CFR)

Outlines a theoretical foundation for a hermeneutical analysis of discourse in middle school mathematics classes. Presents examples of classroom discourse to illustrate the ways in which beliefs about mathematics and mathematical structure are communicated and ways in which appreciation of justification in mathematical discussion develops. (MDH)

Reports on study in which 81 high school students were interviewed about group stratification and its impact on individual adolescents. Finds many students labeled as "nerds" in middle school were able to improve their self-concept and reconstruct themselves as "normal" in high school. Contends expanded range of school activities and more diverse…

Assessed incidence and risk factors of unwanted sexual activity initiated by peers for 1,149 adolescent females. Twenty percent of sample reported some type of unwanted sexual contact in past year. Over one-third of this group reported having been forced to have sexual intercourse. Boyfriends were most commonly reported perpetrators followed by…