English translations can be used to teach classical Chinese poetry to students above the intermediate level who have a limited vocabulary. To overcome this deficiency, and to bridge the gap between vernacular and literary Chinese, several texts are suggested. Examples are given to show the benefit of English translations. (PJM)

Reviews 13 books designed to remediate and reinforce the visual perceptual skills of learning-disabled children in the primary grades. The role of the librarian in selecting and suggesting appropriate books for such children is also briefly discussed. (BK)

The use of teacher praise contingent upon pupil correct responses was compared wih teacher modeling of words erred. The results clearly indicated that manipulation of reinforcement schedules was the more effective approach for the two Ss examined. (Author/DLS)

This study compared the relative efficacy of four short-term intervention techniques for modifying negative racial attitudes in White second- and fifth-grade school children. (CM)

Asserts that most persons use too little positive reinforcement in interpersonal dealings. Outlines and comments on a four-stage lesson plan (involving introduction, social interchange, discussion of experience, and summary/conclusion) which is designed to allow participants to experience how they use positive reinforcement in contacts with…

Self-reinforcement through positive or aversive covert imagery was studied in obesity treatment. Subjects were randomly assigned to no-imagery, self-punishment followed by self-reward, and self-reward followed by self-punishment conditions. Neither order nor kind of reinforcement made any difference. Both reinforcement groups were superior to…

This study employs a factorial design to investigate the efficacy of all possible combinations of modeling, praise, and criticism as a means of teaching empathic responding to counselor trainees. Results indicate a significant effect for modeling and stage of training. Discussion focuses on the critical elements of effective feedback techniques.…

This study examined the effects of three reinforcement histories on the persistence of task engagement by two students (ages 9-10) who were off task during independent seat work. Results found the reinforcement history that contained an instructional control component produced the greatest persistence in student engagement. (Author/CR)

Discusses the stress that special education teachers may feel by role overload and lack of autonomy. Stress relieving strategies are described, including setting realistic expectations, making distinctions between the job and personal life, increasing autonomy, looking for alternative sources of reinforcement, increasing efficacy, and developing…

Three low-achieving third-grade children were exposed to "report-do-report" correspondence training as a reinforcement program to improve academic performance. Intervention involved teaching the children to prompt praise following completing math work, in both training and classroom settings. Students also reported planned behaviors in their…

Conducted an 18-month intervention for African American inner city elementary school students in a gifted classroom. The intervention, supported by university-based coaches, involved positively phrased classroom behavioral expectations, social skills training, structural/systematic instruction, and preplanned positive and negative consequences for…

Provides results of an evaluation of a private education management company, Advantage Schools, which opened and operated public charter schools. Outlines Advantage's four-part approach, in which students learn at an accelerated rate. Suggests that this approach may offer an effective and replicable approach to urban schooling. (PM)

In this study, 24 individuals (ages 6-37) with down syndrome had to learn a symbolic conditional discrimination task. Participants showed better terminal accuracy and faster learning of the task when the alternative correct responses were each followed by unique different outcomes than when nondifferential outcomes were arranged. (Contains…

The study evaluated the indirect effects on stereotypic behavior frequency of several fixed-interval reinforcement schedules on behaviors of three profoundly retarded adults. Stereotypic behavior increased in direct relation to the interval length suggesting such behaviors may be partially controlled by reinforcement frequency for adaptive…

This study compared the performance of 12 children (ages 4 to 10) with developmental delay, each trained in 2 tasks, one through interactive modeling (with or without verbal reinforcement) and the other through passive modeling. Results showed that passive modeling produced better rated performance than interactive modeling and that verbal…