Research investigating the performance of students enrolled in courses taught by a Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) has tended to support the claim that PSI is a superior teaching method. The present research study isolated the self-pacing aspect of PSI courses and attempted to teach 13 academically deficient first year college students…

The article reviews 36 studies conducted since 1967 which evaluated operant conditioning techniques to develop and improve self-help skills of mentally retarded persons. (Author)

Clinical approaches to encouraging spontaneous talking in language delayed children are considered in terms of pragmatics, the effects of communication on behavior. (Author/IM)

Describes the Professional Improvement Commitment, a written agreement developed between teacher and evaluator/supervisor at the end of a supervision/evaluation cycle, designed to increase teacher effectiveness. (MM)

School psychologists, administrators, teachers, and specialists in special education settings ranked the restrictiveness of 13 procedures (such as planned ignoring, response prevention, time-out) designed to decrease inappropriate behaviors. Although general agreement was indicated by the 118 respondents, variability was noteworthy, especially in…

Examines the effects of three self-pacing procedures on student withdrawal rate, rate of progress, final examination performance, and attitude in a personalized system of instruction for undergraduate students in an introductory speech course. Benefits of reducing student procrastination are discussed in light of the study's results. (Author/MBR)

Special education is undergoing considerable change in the use of categorical or diagnostic lables for handicapped children. Much of the impetus has come from the widespread use of behavioristic approaches in education. Three examples of the new orientation are discussed: a noncategorical reconceptualization and two operational noncategorical…

The purpose of the research study was to investigate the leisure behavior, social avoidance and distress, social self-efficacy, life satisfaction, global function, and negative symptoms of 26 individuals with chronic mental illnesses who reside in group homes. The study used a treatment group and a control group design to evaluate the…

Noting that raising well-behaved, considerate children requires learning how to balance firm discipline with equal doses of love and humor, this book provides parents with effective and realistic solutions to countless parenting challenges. The strategies are organized into the following categories: (1) "Avoid Power Struggles"; (2) "Minimize Daily…

Kentucky's Jefferson County Public Schools evaluated their Positive Outreach Program (POP), which was designed to help elementary students with emotional, behavioral, or social problems overcome their problems and succeed in school. POP focuses on creating and enhancing positive skills, relationships, and environmental contexts. It includes…

This action research project implemented and evaluated a 10-week conflict resolution program to improve the behavior of fifth- and eighth-grade students. Participating were eighth graders from a large suburban school district with a diverse socioeconomic background, and fifth graders from a growing suburban school district with a high mobility…

This action research project evaluated a program for improving student discipline and developing a positive classroom environment. The targeted populations consisted of prekindergarten, first-, and fifth-grade students in two middle class suburbs of Chicago (Illinois). Changes in behavior were documented through behavior checklists, parental…

This paper describes a method for evaluating current discipline practices and provides a strategy for making decisions about adopting or adapting behavior change strategies commonly reported in the professional literature. The guide begins by explaining relevant terms and key features of effective behavioral support. The remainder of the text…

A practicum project was developed and implemented to reduce the incidents of aggressive behavior and impulsive actions among kindergarten students by means of win-win situations for conflict resolution. The objectives for the program were to achieve: (1) a 25 percent decrease of impulsive and aggressive behavior; (2) 50 percent of the target group…

Inappropriate social skills exhibited early in elementary school can interfere with cooperative group work, completion of academic tasks on time, and academic growth. This action research project evaluated the impact of a program for improving social behavior in a cooperative group setting to reduce inappropriate interactions and increase positive…