Discusses a survey of nonreturning students at Cuyamaca College (California), distinguishing between positive attrition (successful nonreturners) and negative attrition (unsuccessful nonreturners). Compares two groups in terms of goals, employment, satisfaction with college, high school performance, gender, and ethnicity. Recommends…

Examined effects of ethnic background on group interaction and student-teacher relations by observing 273 Turkish, Surinam, and Dutch 4-year olds and their teachers in 29 Dutch schools. Found Turkish and Surinam pupils were less involved in group activities than Dutch children and, in play situations, teachers appeared to give more attention to…

Argues that social studies teacher educators verbally promote the concept of social studies as education for democratic citizenship but do not practice democracy in their classrooms. Contends that social studies teacher education programs should be considered as an apprenticeship in democracy. Acknowledges that this approach is not easy to…

Preservice teachers observed 288 elementary students during language arts instruction. High achievers spent twice as much time as low achievers completely involved in work, although low achievers spent three times as much time as high achievers definitely not involved in work. The effectiveness of curricular tasks in promoting expected behavior is…

The information presented draws on data from the annual American Council on Education-UCLA Cooperative Research Institutional Program survey of college freshmen. Data cover grades and self-assessments, majors and careers, degree aspirations, reasons for attending college, political and social attitudes, and life goals and values. (Author/MLW)

Interviews with and observation of six behaviorally disordered aggressive adolescents revealed that students perceived teachers as helpful when they engaged in specific aspects of teacher-student communication and flexible academic and behavioral program implementation. They perceived teachers' rigidity and use of discipline as unhelpful. Student…

Contends that the typical approach to immigration in U.S. history may not be interesting or exciting to students. Describes an interdisciplinary program using primary sources and computer databases to encourage student participation and enhance academic achievement. Includes three appendices with information and raw data used in the program. (CFR)

Outlines a theoretical foundation for a hermeneutical analysis of discourse in middle school mathematics classes. Presents examples of classroom discourse to illustrate the ways in which beliefs about mathematics and mathematical structure are communicated and ways in which appreciation of justification in mathematical discussion develops. (MDH)

Reports on study in which 81 high school students were interviewed about group stratification and its impact on individual adolescents. Finds many students labeled as "nerds" in middle school were able to improve their self-concept and reconstruct themselves as "normal" in high school. Contends expanded range of school activities and more diverse…

Assessed incidence and risk factors of unwanted sexual activity initiated by peers for 1,149 adolescent females. Twenty percent of sample reported some type of unwanted sexual contact in past year. Over one-third of this group reported having been forced to have sexual intercourse. Boyfriends were most commonly reported perpetrators followed by…

A problem-solving strategy for dealing with disruptive student behavior in the college classroom is outlined. It uses a series of questions designed to provide perspective on the problem and aid in generating responses. Steps include clarifying the problem, identifying critical elements, describing context, analyzing emotional and behavioral…

Observed performance change in 10 choral music concepts after sequential, structured task presentation across a series of choral rehearsals. Finds general performance improvement, with varied performance improvement for specific concepts; feedback improved student attitudes; and feedback decreased student attention spans. Notes research problems…

Proposes combination of self-evaluation and peer-monitoring procedures as a method for transitioning students with Behavior Disorders (BD) from special-education to general-education settings. Reports results of research on two boys with BD who underwent three phases of intervention. Results indicate significant improvement in both negative and…

Examines postbaccalaureate reverse transfer students (PRTSs) in Missouri to determine the nature and extent of mobility among recent public four-year college graduates who subsequently enrolled in community-college courses and programs. Presents state enrollment data and surveys chief academic officers of Missouri community colleges about their…

Used social behavior ratings from observers, teachers, and parents to predict kindergartners' perceptions of peer acceptance. Found that friendship skill predicted parent- and child-reported peer acceptance. Shyness/withdrawal inversely predicted teacher-reported peer acceptance. Aggression did not predict peer acceptance. Girls were rated as more…