This paper explicates methods to motivate African American students to exhibit attitudes and behaviors that are conducive to high academic achievement. In particular, it argues that educational models must acknowledge and correct students' sense of academic futility. Academic futility measures student perceptions of the extent to which factors in…

In fall 1992, a study was conducted at Sinclair Community College (SCC) in Dayton, Ohio, to determine factors contributing to former students' decisions not to return to the college. Two groups of former students were included the study: those who had last attended in fall 1990 and had thus been absent for 6 quarters, and those who had last…

In spring 1993, the Student Government Association (SGA) of Calhoun Community College (CCC), in Alabama, initiated a survey of all CCC students in day and evening classes at the main campus and at two off-campus sites to determine student opinions regarding CCC agencies, services, and student activities. Of the 410 students who returned completed…

The focus of this curriculum is on prevention of spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The program is aimed at young children because it is during the early years that behavioral patterns are formed which become increasingly more difficult to modify as the child enters adolescence. The curriculum is based on principles of…

The focus of this curriculum is on prevention of spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The program is aimed at children because it is early in life that behavioral patterns are formed which become increasingly more difficult to modify as the child enters adolescence. The curriculum is based on principles of child development,…

This study of college-bound 11th graders assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of instruction that used a structured cooperative learning technique. The students worked in dyads with scripts that contained two learning situations with two roles: (1) explainer and checker; and (2) solver and checker. Both students then worked on summary…

This action research project evaluated a program to reduce inappropriate behavior and maximize prosocial skills. The program involved development and implementation of cooperative learning, weekly prosocial lessons, a conflict resolution program, and a community service project. The target population consisted of 240 seventh and eighth grade…

This report presents findings from a spring 1997 survey of all middle-school students (grades 6-8) enrolled in schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The Centers for Disease Control Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) was completed by 6,990 students in 115 of the 122 BIA-funded middle schools; the overall response rate was 74 percent.…

This document describes an effort to change perceptions of social norms and examines the effect of this change on binge drinking and alcohol-related problems at Northern Illinois University (NIU). The first section of the report discusses the historical and theoretical basis for this approach to prevention. The next section describes a…

Designed to assist New Jersey school districts in developing and implementing student codes of conduct, this document begins by examining the need for policy and clearly established rules, the rationale for codes of conduct, and the areas that such codes should address. Following a discussion of substantive and procedural rights and sources of…

In an effort to identify the factors which most influence the educational success of Hispanic students at Ohlone College (OC), in California, a survey was mailed to all Hispanic students registered at the college in fall 1988 and spring 1989. A total of 1,142 Hispanic students were contacted, comprising 10.5% of the student body. Of these, 201…

Issues of the newsletter, "Dialogue," covering 7 years in the 1980s are compiled in this publication, which contains an introductory section that lists the articles published in each issue. The first issue of "Dialogue," which appeared in April, 1982, explains the Dialogue Journal Project at the Center for Applied Linguistics.…

This practicum was designed to use training to increase economically disadvantaged parents' participation in their children's academic learning. Objectives were that targeted, uninvolved parents would: (1) increase communication with their children's school; (2) increase their attendance at school functions involving parents; (3) increase their…

The second year of implementation of the Garfield Latin Grammar Magnet Elementary School in Kansas City, Missouri, is reported. The Latin grammar program operates in a traditional setting that includes strong emphasis on discipline and behavior, systemative and rigorous homework policies, and the strong commitment of staff, students, and parents.…

This guide to classroom management, which incorporates the essential features of classroom organization, management, and discipline, provides information to help secondary school teachers establish effective classroom management systems. The text emphasizes prevention through planning and addresses decisions teachers must make in the typical…