A peer intervention program to improve communicative interaction and social integration of preschoolers with moderate developmental disabilities is described. Children without disabilities are taught facilitative strategies which are not particularly intrusive and do not obligate responses by the disabled child. The facilitative strategies…

Examined the social behavior, social adjustment, and school adjustment of a sample of elementary school students in Shanghai, China. Found that, consistent with studies of Western children, sociability-leadership was associated with and predictive of indexes of adjustment. Inconsistent with Western studies, shyness-sensitivity was positively and…

This paper urges the use of Theatre Rehearsal Technique activities as communication learning experiences for adolescent African-American male learners with behavior disorders. The paper proposes that students may then gain quantifiable success in social communication interactions, and resultant reassessments of their special education placements…

Examination of college faculty salaries across disciplines suggests that the traditional academic wage scale is increasingly stressed by academic labor market forces. This trend has implications for faculty morale and commitment, turnover, faculty encouragement of students to pursue academic careers, and the relationship of the reward system to…

Orientation for first-year college students is important for students, parents, and the institution. It should fit institutional traditions, values, and culture, involve parents, be staffed by well-trained current students, and be carefully evaluated for improvement. Mississippi State University's program focuses on retention and is festive,…

A faculty (n=347) survey at a research-oriented public university identified four major sources of faculty support: off-campus personal relationships; colleagues within the academic unit; professional support outside the academic unit; and an ethnic/minority network, on and off campus. Differences related to gender and rank were investigated.…

In response to concern about gender and racial insensitivity among medical faculty and medical students, a faculty development program using videotaped vignettes of inappropriate interactions was developed at the University of Pennsylvania. Faculty have appreciated the heightened awareness, and the unit has promoted further discussion. Additional…

Five liberal arts teachers present their ideas about the need to prepare graduate students better for careers as college teachers. Issues addressed include teaching curriculum preparation; imparting a historical perspective on the academic community; the value of mentors; and student perceptions of the discontinuity between graduate study and…

Effects of gender and disagreements on learning during sociocognitive interaction were investigated with 33 pairs of children between 5 and 7 years old (34 males and 32 females) using spatial perspective-taking tasks. Disagreements during social interaction can facilitate or inhibit learning. Effects of gender pairing are discussed. (SLD)

Examines how family and religious variables are associated with adolescent substance abuse in a sample of 322 adolescents and their parents or guardians. Results support social learning theory in that associating with peers who use drugs is the major factor that contributes to adolescent substance use. (SLD)

Applies a path model previously used for Anglo youth to the relationships among family strengths, religious identification, school adjustment, family sanctions against drug use, and peer relationships and youth drug use for 477 American Indian high school juniors and seniors. Discusses differences in findings from those for Anglo youth. (SLD)

A peer nomination assessment of 5 domains of children's competence was administered to 1,249 elementary school students. Factor analysis revealed two positive and two negative factors. Results indicate the structure of peer's perceptions of children's competence, and justify use of the measure to complement other methods of evaluation. (SLD)

Provides descriptive information about and reactions of 110 high school students to peer groups in urban high schools serving predominantly African-American students. Schools can encourage positive attitudes toward students who are academically inclined. Schools need a more comprehensive understanding of peer groups to minimize the influence of…

Uses case studies on promoting interaction skills for integrating young children with special needs in nursery schools to examine the link between research methodology and promotion of educational quality. Asserts that the research process can influence interaction strategies and promote effective, reflective practice. Notes that teams need…

This study examined the effects of severity of disability, and classroom composition (heterogeneous or nonheterogeneous) on peer acceptance of students with disabilities. Predicted severity of disability-by-classroom composition interaction effects on peer acceptance were indicated by multivariate analysis of variance, and analysis of variance…