Examined the relationship between school racial composition, academic achievement, and self-esteem in black and in white students. Found that racially balanced schools generally--though not universally--were associated with the best self-esteem outcomes for black and for white students, but the effects varied by grade, possibly by race, and were…

Reviews factors that influence high school and college students' physical activity adoption and/or maintenance based on recent behavioral research. Relevant determinants of physical activity include self-efficacy, intentions, perceived barriers, enjoyment, stages of change, and social support. Suggestions for behavior modifications to increase…

A study explored episodes of social and physical aggression among 30 low-income, African American, Hispanic, and Latina girls. Episodes of social aggression frequently led to episodes of physical aggression with group alliances solidified in the process. Adults intervened to resolve physically aggressive episodes, while precipitating socially…

This article reviews experiments that have revealed developmental changes in speech perception that accompany improvements in access to phonetic structure. It explains how these perceptual changes appear to be related to other aspects of language development. Evidence is provided that these changes result from adequate language experience in…

A follow-up study of 103 Australian individuals (Ages 14-25) who were sexually abused, found they performed more poorly than controls on measures of depression, self-esteem, anxiety, behavior, and despair. They were also more likely to have a history of bingeing, smoking, and using amphetamines. Potential risk factors are discussed. (Contains…

Discusses the current state of arts education that is characterized by lack of cultural education, the integration of arts into instruction by classroom teachers, and the bad bargains schools have made to get the arts back. Explores the option of out-of-school arts programs and opening the doors to opportunities in the arts. (CMK)

Investigated the relationship of teacher and student ethnic background to their perceptions of teacher interpersonal behavior. Data from surveys of and interviews with Asian- and Hispanic-American high school teachers and their students indicated that teachers viewed themselves more positively than did their students. Student and teacher ethnicity…

This article describes the implementation and outcomes of a teacher-directed professional development program for 33 general and special education teachers that was designed to increase the awareness of culturally influenced learning and behavioral differences in the classroom. Results indicate an increase in teachers' depth of knowledge regarding…

A study examined teacher attitudes toward a new children's rights curriculum. Surveys of 31 eighth-grade Nova Scotia teachers and their 906 students found that the more teachers used the curriculum, the higher they rated it and the more they supported children's rights. Student support for adult rights reflected their teachers' support for…

Examined how risky peer group behaviors at school impacted junior high students' experience of victimization, extending findings from an earlier study of elementary students. Surveys of Arab and Jewish Israeli junior high students indicated that risky peer behaviors in school were one of the strongest predictors of victimization in both elementary…

A study examined the variables that exacerbated or buffered the impact of child problem behaviors and/or physical differences on 16 Korean mothers and 16 Korean American mothers of children with disabilities. Overall findings from data analyses were consistent with qualitative findings that Korean mothers experienced more difficulties than their…

Investigates and describes the current instructor experience of teaching college courses over the Web versus in face-to-face formats in terms of teaching strategies, social issues, and media effects. Discusses communication styles, relationship between students and instructors, instructor workload, and discussion patterns, and proposes a model…

This article explores the complexity of racial identity in the lives of gifted African American students and argues that personal identity can only be understood through an ecological and multidimensional view of racial identity that takes into account the individual, the social context, and coping styles. (Contains references.) (CR)

Examines school roles, school factors, and peer-group influence in predicting Mexican-American adolescents' inhalant use. Surveys 599 adolescents to determine whether unconventional peer associations promote inhalant use. Links academic performance, conduct to drug use. Concludes negative social identity often defined by schools. Makes…

Presents a teacher-initiated model for reaching class consensus on the meaning of confusing or interchangeable concepts in social studies classrooms. Illustrates the model by delineating terrorism. Shows procedural steps that involve students in self and small group interviews where definitions are clarified until consensus is reached. Suggests…