Describes the peer observation program developed by faculty at California State University, Dominguez Hills, its structure and adaptations, outcomes, and recommendations for development of formative peer observation programs. The program helps reduce faculty professional isolation by providing an informal structure for discussion of teaching and…

Two studies examined relationships of the number of reciprocated friendships, peer acceptance, and group membership to academic achievement in two samples of sixth graders. Found that group membership was the most consistent predictor of grades over time. Longitudinal analyses found that peer relationships were related indirectly to classroom…

Comparison of two matched groups of seven students with severe disabilities (placed in either general education classrooms or special education classes) found that students in the general education placement interacted more frequently with nondisabled peers, provided and received more social support, and had larger networks of peers without…

Investigated predictors of peer sociometric nominations among boys with and without attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Found that aggression, covert antisocial behavior, and authoritative parenting beliefs predicted negative peer status and peer social preference. Aggression predicted peer rejection more strongly for comparison than…

Few situations are more distressing for professional counselors than to know or suspect that a colleague is practicing while being impaired. Suggests appropriate steps an individual counselor might take to help an impaired colleague, using as a guide the ethical decision-making model developed by the American Counseling Association Ethics…

Examines the lives of Teresa of Avila, Peter of Alcantara, John of the Cross, and Jeronimo Gratian for predominant characteristics of mentoring. Discusses the relevance of these characteristics and lives for mentoring religious educators today. Briefly explores divergent issues of mentoring between the past and present. (MJP)

The Yes I Can Social Inclusion Program fosters the development and maintenance of social relationships of students with and without developmental disabilities by helping them to overcome negative behaviors and increase interpersonal skills. A sample lesson plan is included. Two case studies illustrate the program's effects on socially isolated…

Examined qualitative characteristics of teacher-child interaction and how they are related to preschoolers' perceptions of self and peers. Found that girls spent more time interacting with teachers than boys, and had more cooperative and positive interactions with teachers than did boys. Found that the quality of teacher-child interaction was…

Analysis of National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health data on 5,477 girls attending mixed-sex secondary schools found that early puberty and physical development that was advanced relative to age were related most strongly to "party" deviance (drinking, smoking, disorderly conduct), but also to minor and serious delinquency.…

Examined how family relationship quality and contact with deviant peers (CDP) contributed to change in problem behaviors, particularly whether gender of the adolescent and parent moderated these associations. Found that CDP was associated with increases in problem behaviors, whereas family influence on problem behaviors was indirect and varied as…

Social lives of 14 children with emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD) in segregated elementary school classrooms were compared with 14 typical students in general classrooms. Children with E/BD had little opportunity to engage in integrated school activities and their school social networks were dominated by individuals affiliated with…

This article presents factors and characteristics that make children and youth with learning disabilities vulnerable to bullying. Risk factors and effects of bullying are reviewed and the following intervention strategies are highlighted: increasing community awareness and changing attitudes; social skills training; and individual, group, and…

Data were examined for 4,088 urban youth with and without mental health problems. Students with externalizing and comorbid problems reported greater numbers of friends engaged in risk behavior, and students with internalizing and comorbid problems reported feeling less well-liked by peers and teachers than those with externalizing problems.…

Replicated and extended American research on overt and relational aggression with Italian children. Found that peer and teacher nominations for aggression and prosocial behavior were highly stable, although with very poor concordance between them. Peer nominations for overt and relational aggression were linked to peer rejection. Boys' scores were…

Discusses how communal norms, which emerge gradually across childhood, are a product of social exchanges characteristic of relationships with family members and friends. Distinguishes between communal and exchange relationships. Reviews theoretical and empirical work on adults' use of communal norms and speculates on their developmental…