Reports an exploratory study on the acquisition of one type of nonnarrative writing by 10 fifth grade beginning English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students, including a description of 6 lessons leading up to the writing. The findings support the position that young children learning ESL can cope with linguistic and cognitive demands of…

A longitudinal sample of 3,454 urban and rural school students in grades 6 through 8 at baseline was used to examine developmental changes in peer factors and their influence on marijuana initiation. Friends' drug-related behaviors, rather then attitudes, were more strongly related to respondents' likelihood of initiating drug use. (TJH)

Two studies using the Student Developmental Task and Lifestyles Inventory are presented. The impact of resident assistant (RA) selection, training, and experience was compared in veteran and freshman applicant RAs, and development of intimacy and identity was compared in males and females. A third factor related to relationships is discussed.…

The article focuses on the development of gifted behavior in children through nurturing the whole child, accommodating individual differences, and providing a wide range of educational experiences. A differentiated curriculum is recommended, which promotes higher cognitive processes, uses teaching strategies appropriate for able children, and…

Early-entrance programs for academically gifted students aged 10 to 14 are offered at a number of colleges and universities. Admissions officials and experts on gifted children worry that some students are not mature enough, that their social development will suffer, and that they will experience social isolation. Highly selective colleges may be…

A model identified by educator Jack Miller identifies three dominant approaches to teaching: transmission (student as passive recipient of knowledge), transaction (student-centered active learning), and transformation (promoting personal growth and social change). While most current environmental-education theory and practice corresponds with the…

Proposes a project to help teachers introduce service learning in the classroom. Gives a descriptive case analysis of one teacher's efforts to stress the importance of service, locally and globally, to her students. Argues that the main goal is for students to increase their personal development and civic responsibility. (DSK)

Research and theory suggest that college students' motivation to learn is related to their epistemological beliefs. Faculty can promote student motivation by designing learning activities that facilitate student development of more sophisticated epistemological beliefs. Faculty developers can assist in this by giving special attention to the…

Researchers surveyed 151 chief student-affairs officers to determine their perceptions of the most important skills and competencies that should be possessed by new doctoral graduates aspiring to midmanagement student-affairs positions. Four skill areas were identified as most important, and two skills were identified as least essential.…

A study of 230 undergraduates at California State University Monterey Bay enrolled in a required service-learning course found that students were stronger advocates of community service after completing the course, became personally and emotionally engaged, learned about their positions of privilege in society, and recognized the assumptions that…

Reports on the findings of a study of drug and alcohol use among adolescents (N=779) who attended middle schools in a large urban city in the southwest United States. Examines the relationships between substance use, social support, and a variety of other psychosocial factors. Discusses implications of those relationships for human service…

Standards-based reform is about setting standards and measuring attainment in criterion-referenced ways. Assessments should measure and monitor students' current achievement and progress over time. As Massachusetts testing deficiencies illustrate, assessments must stress longitudinal over cross-sectional designs, valued performances, developmental…

Presents results of focus group interviews conducted with 22 Asian American students at a large Midwestern state university to explore issues related to their experiences inside and outside the classroom, their relationships with instructors and students, the effect of their identity on teaching and learning, learning style preferences, and their…

This paper addresses information technology's potential to change the nature of the commuter student experience. Drawing on research on distance learning, community colleges, and adult student development, it offers suggestions for using technology to create academic community and to foster student learning outside the curriculum, and also…

Asserts that Catholic schools throughout America continue to make remarkable contributions to our nation's intellectual and moral growth. Highlights the impressive results of Catholic schools in teaching, student learning, graduation rates and retention, moral development, and the alleviation of resources for public schools. Presents the text of a…