Blacks who settled in the Western United States influenced the region's development in a number of ways, including agriculture, the cattle industry, mining, and business. (MC)

An essay review of Volume VI of the Youth in Transition series. (MLF)

Describes how the Carrollton School District (Georgia) mapped out a strategy to ensure it would be able to acquire new classroom technology and successfully integrate it into the curriculum. It explains how proper planning for technology in the classroom reduced dropout rates and increased academic success among all its students, particularly…

Outlines characteristics of effective alternative programs for at-risk middle schools students, noting organizational, instructional, and interpersonal components. Describes a successful drop-out prevention program which operates as a school-within-a-school for sixth- through eighth-grade students, emphasizing multicultural education and…

This study from the University of North London examines diversified support and relevance to improve instruction and reduce dropout rates for multicultural students. Discusses the use of information and communication technology to provide online student support; virtual integration of the curriculum; individual learning styles; and Web sites. (LRW)

This study examined the effects of perceived parenting style (overly protective versus a warm and loving environment) on the scholastic achievement of 986 Dutch adults age 18-30 years. Retrospective and longitudinal data suggested that respondents with overprotective parents drop out more frequently and have a lower level of educational attainment…

An Economic Institute study concludes that real per-pupil spending between 1967 and 1991 increased by 61%. Regular education's share declined from 80% to 59%. The biggest "squeaky wheel" is special education, followed by bilingual education, alternative instruction, dropout prevention, school lunch, and higher education Pell grants. The…

Examines the loss of confidence in the educational system in juxtaposition with recent indicators showing growing confidence in the value of public schools. Explores ways of reconciling the conflicting evidence and argues the need for more sophisticated definition of public confidence in education. (GR)

A study examined different types of and amount of vocational programming received by 398 secondary students with emotional or behavioral disorders and post-school outcomes. Generic vocational education and on-the-job- training had significant positive relationships with total earnings. All types of vocational education had inverse significant…

Asserts that including mariachi ensembles in schools with high Hispanic populations encourages students to remain in school. Provides a history of mariachi and discusses mariachi instruments. Includes information on developing a mariachi ensemble, including lists of resources, such as mariachi conferences and sources of sheet music. (CMK)

Describes cooperative program between a university counseling service and the dean's office of the College of Architecture and Design. Discusses 10-week seminar for students identified as on probation from previous semester, focusing on program emphasis on involvement, personal issues, peer influence, problem solving, behavior change, and skill…

Maintains that free reading and film study constitute a powerful arsenal against the barriers reluctant student learners erect. Describes the successful use of both techniques with a class of seniors who had all failed junior English. (SR)

The 1989 Teacher of the Year, Mary V. Bicouvaris discusses social studies education, public education, and teachers. Stresses the importance of geographic and international education and addresses the problems of falling test scores, use of illegal drugs, teenage pregnancies, and school dropouts. (RW)

Results are reported from a study that attempted to find the objective effects of a 3-month high school teachers' strike on 134 first year university students. Findings indicate that no important differences existed between strike students and others with regard to grades, failures, or withdrawals. (IAH)

Reports a study on minimum competency testing in American high schools. Discusses the effects on students who fail to pass it, and the perceptions of educators and administrators about the value and barrier aspects of these tests. Implications of the findings for research, policy making, and educational practice are explored. (JS)