Studies the complex layers making up a school culture and their effect on the routine organizational decision in handling truancy. Findings suggest school cultures, although unified at the organizational level, are inconsistent at the subcultural or individual level. Members can exercise greater flexibility within the organization but also can…

Asserts that teachers are already significant decision makers regarding curriculum and instruction. Argues that teachers and students cannot be empowered by others. Suggests four conditions to enhance teacher growth and informed engagement: systematic study of self; subject matter, pedagogy, and learners; society; and utilization of contingency…

Research on children's perceptions of control has identified both changes and consistencies in control beliefs during childhood and early adolescence. Developmental changes in coping have also been documented. Implications of research for interventions aimed at enhancing children's problem-solving and coping skills are discussed. (SLD)

This article discusses empowering thinking skills such as brainstorming, problem solving, analysis; comparison/contrast and how to cultivate these abilities in gifted children. Examples are given of ways for teachers to model thinking skills for students. The response of a student to the ideas of the article is included. (PB)

Studied influence of close friends, parents, and individual characteristics on adolescent drug use. Found similarity across European-, African-American, and Chinese adolescents in high-sensation-seeking and low-authoritative parenting associated with higher rates of drug use. Close friends had influence on Chinese and European Americans.…

A substantial number of individuals serve as interim chairs each academic year. This chapter addresses their unique needs and provides suggestions on serving in this difficult role.

Deregulation in South Carolina schools was designed to give schools flexibility in meeting state and federal guidelines and student achievement goals. A survey of principals and faculty of deregulated schools examined how they perceived themselves as change agents. A questionnaire was sent to each principal and one faculty member in each of the…

Individual teachers with access to information of importance to administrators--either through expertise or through occupation of a central position-- can exert power over administrators and influence their actions, according to a recent study. The researchers developed a model of subordinate power over superordinates, generated two hypotheses…

Although researchers have investigated the chronological age-subjective age discrepancy in several ways, they have, for the most part, ignored where and how older persons live. The lifestyles of elderly Los Angeles residents (N=308), i.e., institutionalized, socially active in the community, or socially inactive in the community, were taken into…

This monograph discusses how to bring about changes and reforms in the area of human services. The introduction defines human services and briefly discusses some reform movements and whether or not viable change methods are available. Section I discusses the roles of various change participants including the change agent, lobbyist, ombudsman,…

It is time to stop blaming the rise in serious student misbehavior on families, peers, teachers, school systems and society, and to begin to hold students responsible for their own actions. To compare the personal characteristics of disruptive and "normal" students, teachers in a small high school identified 69 inhibitors (disruptive students) and…

Mark is the central character in this story designed to help adolescents formulate a philosophy of values. The story is well suited for use in high school social studies courses and/or in philosophy or guidance units. Mark's thoughts and actions are reported as he interacts with his family, friends, acquaintances, and individuals of authority…

An equitable system of income distribution is needed for the many indigent persons unable to benefit from skill enrichment programs, full employment, or job upgrading. Such persons include the aged, mothers with dependent children, and physically or mentally ill individuals. Present public welfare departments, which offer a form of income…

The STRIDE (Service, Training, and Research in Desegregated Education) program, designed to assist school districts in the process of desegregation, was established by the U.S. Office of Education under Title IV of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. During 1974-75, a series of regional conferences was held in Arizona, California, and Nevada. Topics of…

Although the break-up of the unresponsive school bureaucracy in New York will be a move toward greater accountability, the basic question is: will this raise achievement levels? Its possible advantagees include: the increase in both the operating efficiency of the schools and the responsiveness of schools to the lay public; increased student fate…