Explores the debate on diversity, clarifying how the positive effects of diversity activities outweigh potential problems. Explains the role of student affairs administrators in using the university mission statement to concurrently promote diversity, civility, and free speech. Describes the First Amendment as setting minimum parameters for…

Studies a classroom issue, discipline, by viewing it from the framework of "Negotiated Order Theory." Reveals how and why discipline is negotiated by a first-year teacher and his ninth-grade students. Explicates the communicative strategies used by the teacher and his students to negotiate classroom order. Indicates that misbehavior…

Surveys and focus groups involving students from high schools with condom availability programs assessed health risk behaviors and perceptions of school environment, program effectiveness, and program improvement. Students supported such programs. Students worried about privacy when obtaining condoms, recommending private locations for accessing…

Describes efforts to increase the independence created by self-management procedures by teaching children to self-initiate their implementation across settings and activities. Participants were two boys who engaged in inappropriate vocalizations. Results indicate that participants were able to discriminate settings or activities in which…

Discusses problem-solving strategies designed to diffuse the power of suburban youth gangs. Argues against using the metaphor of "war" to combat youth violence and outlines the dimensions of a comprehensive policy that emphasizes prevention, prosecution, and placement. Suggests what local governments can do to solve this problem. (RJM)

School personnel often misclassify a conduct-disordered student as severely emotionally disturbed, following a serious offense. Educators must remember, however, that mislabeling a child to obtain services, prevent expulsion, or remove the child to a special classroom is both inappropriate and unethical. Legal language should be clarified, and…

Discusses six proactive strategies to help teachers improve classroom discipline: (1) move around the room; (2) teach social skills; (3) have a sense of humor; (4) don't personalize unruly behavior; (5) look for causes of discipline problems; and (6) promote student responsibility. (SM)

Reports on violence prevention in an inner-city middle school. Interviews of students, deemed by peers and teachers as good at managing conflict, revealed eight themes. For example, student experts inoculated themselves in attitude to avoid violence; de-escalated situations when provoked; and believed the cost of fighting exceeds the reward. (RJM)

Describes an ethnographic study of 126 developmental mathematics students at a 4-year college to determine characteristics related to success in the course and subsequent retention. Reports that student attendance and engagement strongly influenced success. Lists recommendations for improving student engagement. A list of observed student…

Asserts that children vary in the amount of sleep they need but that rest is important. Gives advice in response to caregiver questions concerning child naptime, including determining length of nap, getting children settled, providing a conducive classroom environment, dealing with resistance, and addressing parental concerns. (BGC)

Describes three community health center projects to develop and expand school-based mental health and violence prevention services. Key project features include: customized services; effective referral systems; confidentiality measures; and appropriate space, location, and staffing. Principal issues are integration and coordination, funding, and…

Case study examines effects of time-out ribbon and precision requests on noncompliance of a four-year-old male with Tuberous Sclerosis. Compliance was recorded during circle time. Compliance increased when time-out ribbon was used. Greater increase compliance was found when precision requests were added to time-out ribbon procedure. (FC)

Social development of students with disabilities is examined from a developmental synthesis perspective. Issues in the social skills deficit framework are also discussed, along with formation of classroom social networks and their role in behavior development. Social interventions should focus on both the classroom social network and the…

An intervention using natural reinforcement and peer influence with three three-person groups of preschoolers, each containing one child with a disability, was evaluated. The design of the intervention (multiple probe across subjects) was found to be effective in increasing the subjects' positive social initiations. Some generalization was also…

Administered a two-year prevention program to 121 boys and girls, ages 11-12 years. Results showed partial impact of the program on proximal measures, such as self-esteem, influenceability, and knowledge of cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana. Problem children in the prevention program became more assertive. Discusses limits of child-centered…