Chris Mercogliano's book about a free school in Albany, New York, advocates liberating children's life energies from the destructive forces of regimentation, repression, and control on which public education is based. An educational philosophy is needed that pays attention primarily to emotional and interpersonal issues, since academic learning…

Introduces a special issue that seeks to generate new visions of education via articles written by Holmes Scholars. These scholars focus on quality professional preparation, continuous renewal, research, diversity, faculty development, and policy initiation. The articles delve into the core of collegial relationships in educational institutions.…

This study compared effects of either a teacher-mediated social skills intervention or an integrated activities intervention on social interaction among young (ages four to six) children with and without hearing impairments. The social skills intervention successfully increased social interactions among deaf and hard-of-hearing children, but…

Reviews some of the problems relevant to the teaching of language use and discusses pragmatic consciousness raising (PCR) as one alternative in teacher education for dealing with pragmatics in the classroom. (Author/JL)

Questionnaires completed by 777 participants evaluated 32 pilot summer programs in the United Kingdom designed to help high-risk 16-year-olds make the transition from secondary school to adult life and to enhance eight personal and social skills through outdoor activities. Results indicate the programs had a positive impact, but numerous…

Examined whether differentiating processes existed for 7 composite indices of positive and negative adolescent adjustment in 720 sibling pairs. Found that siblings born 1 year apart at Time 1 were more similar to each other than were siblings born 2 years apart, suggesting that shared environmental influences counteract sibling differentiation…

Describes a study in which young, urban African American adolescents with behavior problems participated in weekly group sessions that used rap music to promote the development of appropriate social skills related to morality, identity, judgement, decision making, anger management, impulse control, and crime and punishment. Overall, student…

This article discusses findings from the Asperger Syndrome Research Project, which investigated the complex characteristics of children and youth with Asperger Syndrome (AS). Intellectual, academic, social and emotional, and sensory characteristics are described, along with suggestions for professionals and parents for addressing these…

Described results of the alteration of Hyson and Lee's Caregiver's Beliefs about Feelings questionnaire for use with parents in order to assess emotional understanding of children. Found mothers' developmental beliefs scores were positively related to mothers' negative emotional expressiveness, and mothers' emotion language scores were positively…

This study evaluated the use of communication books (containing pictures to help a nonverbal individual initiate conversation or respond to questions) by two minimally verbal employees with severe disabilities in a supported employment setting. Results indicated that training in use of the books increased the social interactions of the workers.…

Investigated prosocial behaviors of five-year olds interacting within different learning-activity centers in a multiage preschool setting. Subjects and their younger classmates were observed for a total of 45 hours. Found significantly more proximity seeking, helping, and sharing behaviors than other kinds of prosocial behaviors in the setting.…

This article describes an action research project that tracked the progress of under achieving fourth-grade students throughout the school year. The project used a collaborative problem solving and planning guide in an inclusive classroom to enhance students' productive work and produce gains in student achievement and student social skills.…

A survey of 123 teachers enrolled in a university principal- preparation program revealed that teachers valued three kinds of principal behaviors: empowering (23 percent), supporting (36 percent), and communicating (41 percent). Praising is less important than treating teachers professionally, demonstrating support, and having an open-door policy.…

A study examined the social status of six high school students with moderate or severe disabilities in general education cooking classes. Although no participants were classified as popular among their peers, the majority obtained average social status ratings. Students with disabilities were involved in fewer social interactions than their peers.…

A survey of 25 participants in a Nevada " externship" program providing teachers with real-world business experience revealed that urban externs participated to further their academic pursuits, while rural externs participated to enhance their teaching skills. Nevertheless, both groups gained understanding of necessary employability…