Contends that an obsession for competition has permeated all aspects of society, including the artistic environment. Maintains that competition works against creativity and individual development. Recommends eliminating music contests and other competitive practices at the school and college levels. (CFR)

Questionnaires returned by 105 faculty at Drake University (Iowa) indicated that student traits and competencies most valued by faculty were (1) personal development, (2) research activities, (3) conscientiousness, (4) self-confidence, (5) student activities and community service, (6) oral communication skills, and (7) questioning. Results have…

Discusses accomplishments of students in Miami Middle School and High School in northeastern Oklahoma, who with the help of teachers are linking their lived experience, school-based learning, and new-found activism through the medium of a service-learning project. Discusses the history of Tar Creek, now designated as the nation's worst…

Investigates women headteachers' professional identity and leadership styles, returning readers to the late 19th century, when the first (British) secondary schools for girls were established. Explores various issues, such as sensible dress, girls' sports, health education, and extracurricular activities, employing case studies of three Birmingham…

Maintains that the collegiate chapters of the Music Educators National Conference act as an excellent training ground for student leaders. Recommends continuing the support and guidance for these students to emerge as leading teachers. Provides specific advice for MENC chapter advisors on fostering support and independence. (MJP)

Some innovations in portable technology are of particular interest to community colleges, where students are more likely to be commuters and/or have multiple commitments. Professionals in campus activities programming can capitalize on computer-literacy course requirements for the benefit of their student volunteers in ways that encourage them to…

Explores responses of 620 middle school and high school students to the Student Rating Scale. Results show that students who had been suspended were more likely to be involved with the legal system. Also explores rule compliance and school interest for internally suspended, externally suspended, and never suspended students. Discusses implications…

Examined benefits/risks of participation in five types of extracurricular activities (prosocial, team sports, school involvement, performing arts, academic clubs). Data for 1,259 adolescents were drawn from the Michigan Study of Adolescent Life Transitions. Found that prosocial involvement was linked to positive educational trajectories and low…

Identified predictors of normative, unconventional, and deviant identity orientations among youth in a nationally representative sample of 13,000 high school seniors. Found that frequency of community service substantially increased predictability of identity orientation above background characteristics and part-time work involvement. Most…

The deleterious effects of early substance use have been well documented. Past research has produced mixed results regarding the extent to which the profile of risk differs for urban African American and suburban Caucasian youth. Sixth graders from urban (n = 420; 92% African American) and suburban (n = 391; 89% Caucasian) schools in metropolitan…

In order to understand and predict students' achievement and persistence at learning activities, many contemporary motivational models consider how much students are motivated for their school work. However, students' achievement and persistence might not only be affected by their amount of study motivation, but also by the motivation to engage in…

Learning and quality postsecondary education are critical for Canada's continued prosperity in today's global knowledge economy. Colleges and institutes have a pivotal role in postsecondary education in Canada by producing highly qualified graduates for direct entry into the labour market and facilitating transitions into further postsecondary…

The High/Scope Institute for IDEAS began in the early 1960s as a summer camp program and is now a dynamic learning program for teens that emphasizes working with them in an environment which supports emotional, social, and intellectual development. The High/Scope model for adolescent programs is based on the following principles: (1) adolescents…

Performance in drama, dance, music, puppetry, or combinations of these arts can be an exciting encounter for young children. This case study investigated one 4-year-old's responses to a children's opera. Her responses before, during, and after the performance were systematically observed and analyzed. Data showed that the child had some knowledge…

These guidelines were developed by a committee of staff members from special education divisions at the Texas Education Agency and comprise a collection of federal and state criteria and regulations concerning placement of students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. Specific requirements (with legal citations) and criteria…