Examines aspirations by analyzing variables that can be directly influenced by the student, family, and/or school personnel. Data secured from 2,677 students in grades 8 through 12 suggest that many students do not understand why they engage in certain activities. To assume more responsibility, students must see purpose in their pursuits. (RJM)

The intergenerational family therapy method of genogram construction may be a useful technique for increasing levels of differentiation in clients with a lesbian sexual orientation. Provides a description, rationale, and illustration of how genogram construction may be used by family counselors to treat lesbian clients. (JBJ)

Describes a national study of extended orientation courses. Finds them equally common at two- and four-year colleges but different in administrative structures and content emphases. Two-year college courses have larger class sizes, shorter durations, and less varied content and are less likely to be required or to introduce an academic discipline.…

The directors of seven child care centers share their ideas on ways to orient, train, and nurture new staff from their first day on the job through the end of their first year, discussing goals for the first day, first week, first month, and first year. (MDM)

Describes ways of improving communications at all levels of residential camp program. Discusses appropriate means of giving information to staff and campers. Focuses on director-staff communication. Emphasizes value of well-planned precamp orientation, ongoing season communication, and regular staff meetings and conferences. Suggests postcamp…

A study of 71 individuals with specific learning disabilities and moderate to high vocational success revealed commonalities in the ways they were able to achieve, including a strong desire for success, goal orientation, ability to interpret the disability experience, persistence, selection of an appropriate work environment, learned creativity,…

This pilot study with eight beginning teachers examined the value of a mentorship program to assist novice special education teachers during their induction year. Results indicated that (1) perceptions of important mentor characteristics changed with training; (2) all novices valued having a mentor; and (3) most mentor-novice pairs met regularly.…

Methods of using values clarification techniques to meet the affective needs of students with emotional disabilities are discussed. The theoretical background and benefits of values clarification are briefly reviewed, and suggestions are offered for implementing such a program at three levels of student skill in the valuing process. (DB)

Tested children 18 months to 4 years for their ability to relocate a hidden object after self-produced movement around an array of 4 locations. Children encountered no specific difficulty in coordinating dimensions, or they solved the task without recourse to such a system. They also appeared to change strategy when the problem requires more…

Parents object to outcome-based education because it rejects the basics, subject-matter knowledge, and individual achievement and emphasizes vague, subjective goals. The Eagle Forum president's major objections to OBE are its "dumbing-down" effect, "feel good" emphasis, antiphonics commitment, stress on politically correct…

Describes a study assessing community college faculty perceptions of the objectives for faculty orientation programs. Suggests that orientations were designed to assist new faculty in understanding their institution's mission and that responses revealed high expectations for faculty orientation programs but no expectations that the programs serve…

Principals of smaller and rural secondary schools should think critically about the mix of their goals with staff members' goals. Although very little can be accomplished from the principal's momentum alone, a united group can accomplish great things. Suggestions are given for providing each staff member with meaningful leadership opportunities.…

An orientation program for 110 incoming housestaff was implemented at the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Residents received instruction in large-group teaching skills, bedside teaching, small-group discussion, and student evaluation. The program was rated positively by residents.…

Presents back-to-school activity suggestions from elementary school teachers around the country, noting how they extend a warm welcome, soothe first-day fears, and encourage students to get to know one another and the teacher. (SM)

The Teacher Education and Learning to Teach (TELT) study examined not only preservice and inservice programs but also induction programs and alternative teaching routes. Findings are summarized for subject matter knowledge, accommodation of diverse learners, mentoring, alternative certification programs, preservice programs, and improvement of…