In the evaluation of an experimental, full inclusion model in the Netherlands, data on participating pupils with special needs were collected. The evaluation focused on social/emotional functioning, pupil behaviour and the quality of education. Independent assessors were invited to study the files of 24 pupils and evaluate their development and…

This paper suggests ways in which to look at textbooks in terms of how they socially construct students with disabilities who receive special education services. Although students with developmental disabilities were not included in most of these texts, the treatment of students with mild disabilities revealed varied attitudes towards disability.…

Ample evidence suggests that teachers influence their students' behavior; mounting evidence also suggests that students exert influence on their teachers' behavior. This paper outlines the transactional theory of social interactions and discusses the importance of understanding reciprocal relationships between teacher and student behavior. Review…

Many years ago when the author assumed the role of assistant principal for school climate, discipline, and attendance, he inherited many school policies and guidelines that were outdated, unfair, and without merit in the current school climate. Because the school conduct code had not been revised since the school opened in 1960, many of the…

In this article, the author discusses a literature-based character education program at the school district of Hillsborough County in Florida. The district recently developed a comprehensive management plan in response to the much-publicized school violence of recent years. The plan addresses school issues including tornado and fire drills,…

Invasive disease secondary to Neisseria meningitidis is a rare but devastating illness among university students. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends educating college freshmen about meningococcal disease and vaccinating all college freshmen who live in residence halls. We conducted this survey to gain a better…

Schools have widely used suspension and related punitive practices, in spite of their proven ineffectiveness. This article discusses the role of Aggression Replacement Training (ART) as part of a schoolwide positive behavior support initiative. Grounded in theory and research, ART focuses on the proactive teaching of acceptable behaviors to…

More students are arriving at college today with emotional issues than just five years ago, and there has been dramatic growth in the severity of the problems. These students are creating a need for significant expansions in college counseling services. In this article, the author identifies the social forces underlying these issues and discusses…

Five years ago, the author examined the extent and quality of education to students with disabilities in Texas's public charter schools. Many schools were designated "at-risk" because of the percentage of enrolled students who met the state's at-risk criteria. Students with learning disabilities and behavioral disorders made up the…

The purpose of the present study was to compare the everyday classroom practices of students with and without learning disabilities (LD) and attempt to predict those perceptions from classroom's motivational discourse and feelings of hopelessness. Two hundred thirty students with and without learning disabilities recorded their everyday classroom…

Purpose: The purposes of this pilot study were to examine prevalence of depressive symptoms among rural adolescents and identify related social and environmental variables. Methods: A convenience sample of 299 14- to 18-year-old agriculture class students at 5 rural high schools in Kentucky and Iowa completed a survey that included demographic…

The purpose of this article is to introduce the reader to autism. The article begins with a definition of autism. This will be followed by a discussion of possible causes of autism as well as common characteristics associated with the disorder. (Contains 1 table.)

Teaching strategies that work for typically developing children often do not work for those diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. However, teaching strategies that work for children with autism do work for typically developing children. In this article, the author explains how the principles and concepts of Applied Behavior Analysis can be…

This article describes the action taken by a school regarding the numerous complaints and criticisms about students trespassing on lawns, picking flowers and fruits, and destroying trees. The school decided to take the opportunity to launch an environmental education campaign to teach students to protect flowers, plants, and the environment.…

This investigation focused on the relation between college student drinking behavior and study skills, behaviors, habits, and attitudes among undergraduate students at a predominantly African American university. Students (N = 492) were administered a multimedia alcohol survey with an embedded measure of study practices. The negative and generally…