Asserts that beginning teachers frequently have difficulties working with students, colleagues, and in the school environment. Provides a list of "Do's" and "Don't's" for a successful introduction of their instructional techniques, policies, and expectations. Argues that a positive attitude and total involvement in their work are essential. (CFR)

Reports on study in which 81 high school students were interviewed about group stratification and its impact on individual adolescents. Finds many students labeled as "nerds" in middle school were able to improve their self-concept and reconstruct themselves as "normal" in high school. Contends expanded range of school activities and more diverse…

Assessed incidence and risk factors of unwanted sexual activity initiated by peers for 1,149 adolescent females. Twenty percent of sample reported some type of unwanted sexual contact in past year. Over one-third of this group reported having been forced to have sexual intercourse. Boyfriends were most commonly reported perpetrators followed by…

Presents a case study of power relationships among four- and five-year old girls in Australia that illustrates how the roles that children may use in play can contribute to the analysis of race relations between children. Understanding parallels between racial power distributions in society and in play requires careful observation. (SLD)

The first doctoral student of linguist John Swales comments on three aspects of their advisor/advisee relationship: the relaxed atmosphere in which work was done; the collegial style of interaction; and the advisor's active participation with the student in the research process. (MSE)

Used social behavior ratings from observers, teachers, and parents to predict kindergartners' perceptions of peer acceptance. Found that friendship skill predicted parent- and child-reported peer acceptance. Shyness/withdrawal inversely predicted teacher-reported peer acceptance. Aggression did not predict peer acceptance. Girls were rated as more…

Describes a team-taught college course designed to develop philosophical literacy among students as groundwork for future humanities courses. Unifying motif was "dialog" between faculty from different areas of expertise; the concept of philosophy as dialog; and the student-teacher relationship as dialog. Discusses course design, lessons learned,…

Qualitative data about the Baltimore (Maryland) Educational Scholarship Trust, a program to place disadvantaged and talented African-American youth in private schools were analyzed. The study reveals that peer networks of African-American students in predominantly White elite independent schools support these students' academic success, allow them…

Studied the extent to which friends influenced the prejudices and stereotypes of white adolescents by evaluating race, homosexuality, HIV/AIDS, fat prejudice, and sex-role stereotyping. Found friends' prejudices and stereotypes were not associated. Examined possible explanations including discussion among friends, lack of questioning of apparent…

Examines correlates of perceived popularity among black middle school students versus other groups. Survey responses from 24,024 eighth graders, their parents, teachers, and school administrators shows that, except for black females, athletic status yielded stronger correlations with perceived popularity. For black females, the strongest predictor…

Fifty deaf and hard-of-hearing students mainstreamed in postsecondary classes rated their classroom communication ease with hearing instructors, hearing peers, and deaf peers. Both quantitative and qualitative results indicated that students varied considerably in their communication with hearing peers and professors, in their relations with deaf…

A study investigated graduate and professional educational experiences that promote contextual knowing. Seventy students described these experiences as opportunities to struggle with ideas and formulate their own opinions, connect their beliefs to their own lives, use experiences in the learning process, engage in learning as equal partners with…

This survey found that middle and high school students (n=1,137) believe friendship with a student with a severe disability is more likely to occur if the student is included in the general education class, if cooperative learning is used, if information on disabilities is given, and if integrated social activities are arranged. (CR)

Early childhood classrooms characterized by a predominance of second-language learners have emerged in unprecedented numbers. This article examines a model of peer collaboration to take into account how children's evolving social relationships served as an impetus for talk in English. Implications for research and practice are discussed. (Author)

Examined how social aspects of a peer collaborative context related to differences in adolescents' interpretations of task and social problems while collaborating with peers in a naturalistic classroom setting. Found that salience of social problems, gender, and friendship were important for understanding project performance. Explored the value of…