This study explored effects of social levels of play (isolate, dyadic, group, and team) on play behavior of autistic children in a leisure education/adapted physical education program with nondisabled peers. Findings indicate that structured integrated activities involving higher levels of social play elicit a higher frequency of appropriate play…

Explores ethnic diversity in the teaching force, questioning whether it is desirable. Information is presented from a 1990 conference, "Staffing Texas Schools with an Ethnically Diverse Teaching Force," which focused on recruitment and retention of minority teachers and developed recommendations to enhance cultural diversity in the…

Describes the teaching-upbringing complex (UVK) educational facilities in rural areas. Argues that UVKs create conditions that foster social, spiritual, and moral-esthetic development of rural students. Emphasizes the need for UVKs to provide guidance in literature, music, culture, and ethics. Encourages the channeling of students' free time into…

Offers examples of good Soviet art teachers and their ideas. Describes an art teacher who allows children to draw in any position so as to free natural creativity. Tells of programs to develop children's interest and ability in folk art, architecture, and life. Stresses the importance of sincerity of interaction and innovation. (DK)

Based on the idea that college student involvement in campus activities enhances student development, the University of Rhode Island has established a research project that gathers information on student cocurricular background and interests and monitors student participation in campus organizations and its correlation to student confidence and…

Student development professionals at church-related colleges must be innovative in structuring programs, assuring that they reflect institutional purposes and are at the same time responsive to changes in campus culture, student mix, and economic realities. Integration of faith, instruction, and student life will have to take new forms. (MSE)

A national study of 82 college outcome measures on 25,000 students from 1985-89 looked at the relationship of outcomes, institutional environment (emphasis on institutional, student, or faculty diversity), and campus activism. Results suggest emphasis on diversity in all forms is beneficial to student development and also promotes student…

A study investigated whether computer conferencing would encourage critical reflection in prospective teachers. A computer conference helped students examine their taken-for-granted assumptions, the validity in differing perspectives, and consequences of choice making. Findings suggest that computer conferencing can help students reach this goal,…

The article presents a summary, in outline form, of suggestions for helping gifted girls. Suggestions address the areas of parent education, early identification, gifted peers, early entrance, teacher inservice, special programs, career counseling, and conferences for gifted girls. (DB)

School students' conceptual frameworks in astronomy and students' levels of knowledge and conceptualization were examined for 130 students in grades 2 through 12. Knowledge and conceptualization increased with school age. A test administered to 892 students in 7 schools demonstrated that schools contributed little to education in astronomy. (SLD)

Audiotutorial (tape-recorded) science lessons were provided to 191 first and second graders, and interviews were conducted periodically to assess changes in science concept understanding through grade 12. A comparison group did not receive the early instruction. Data highlight the lasting effects of early instruction in science. (SLD)

The communicative/experiential syllabus explores new ways to teach and learn language, addressing concerns that language instruction focuses narrowly on the analytical aspect of language learning. In the syllabus, the classroom is considered a rich and authentic environment for experiences based on content, not just language, contributing to…

A survey of 423 medical students assessed (1) authoritarianism, self-esteem, locus of control, self-blame, belief in efficacy of high-tech medicine, and depression; and (2) attributional styles toward patients with psychological or emotional problems. A variety of findings and directions for research are discussed. (MSE)

A study at Illinois Benedictine College compared the advising of freshmen with that of upperclassmen. Upperclassmen rated advisers highly on academic dimensions such as knowledge of major courses and graduation requirements. Freshmen saw advisers as concerned about their college adjustment, helpful with referrals, and interested in their general…

Attributional retraining, the restructuring of an individual's explanations for events in his environment, is proposed as one method of enhancing college student motivation and achievement, particularly for high-risk students. Drawing on previous research and theory, the most promising strategies for using attributional retraining with this…