Two models for public administration field experience programs are outlined, both designed to connect management theory to practice through observation and peer interaction. In the first, student teams observe and report daily operations of an organization; in the second, teams observe, report, and also serve as organizational consultants. Both…

This article identifies the components of school programs necessary for preventing physical or emotional "bullying." The need for a systems approach that places power with the "caring majority" and encourages the assertive use of prosocial interventions is stressed, along with the importance of training all school staff and non-bullying students.…

Fifty-two Indigenous adults in Northern Territory (Australia) who were returning to education reflected on their earlier experiences in school and on factors that contributed to their motivation to stay in school or drop out early. Factors included family support and family problems, influence of friends, problems with other students, and good and…

Studied impact of family background, parental attitudes, peer support, and adolescents' attitudes and behavior on academic achievement of adolescents from immigrant families. Found that first- and second-generation students received higher mathematics and English grades than peers from native families; the strong educational emphasis by students,…

Reports on a class on deviance that focuses on sociological and transformative processes imbedded in deviant groups. Specifically examines "deviance production groups," groups that turn normal people into deviants (Branch Davidians, Ku Klux Klan). The class is largely structured around group discussions and presentations. (MJP)

Evaluated impact of abstinence promotion program targeting sixth and seventh graders. After being exposed to 6 program sessions focusing on self-esteem, communication skills, peer pressure, and teaching value that sex should be confined to marriage, only change shown by 191 participants but not by 129 controls was increase in precoital sexual…

Describes a program for eighth graders at West Hempstead (New York) Middle School that prepares students for social pressures of high school by building leadership qualities. Includes an overview of the program and a description of program sessions. (NB)

Reviews school-based approaches to prevention of adolescent alcohol use and abuse undertaken in the 1950s through the 1970s and discusses problems associated with such studies, remedies to these problems, and current school-based approaches. Also discusses the Alcohol Misuse Prevention Study, a longitudinal intervention undertaken in the 1980s to…

Examined whether sixth graders' adjustment to the school context (assessed by grades, achievement scores, and disruptive behaviors) was affected by factors from both the family context (as represented by the number of divorce-related parenting transitions and perceptions of current family climate) and the peer context (represented by peer norms…

Reports the results of a summer institute for secondary science teachers involved in teaching evolutionary biology. Discusses changes in teacher conceptual understanding, anxiety, the adoption of peer discussion on evolution within their instruction, and the influence of peer or mentor teachers on the decision to include peer discussion. (LZ)

A survey of 416 pharmacy students at 9 colleges investigated student needs for and attitudes toward professional organizations, confidence in ability to perform organizational tasks, and participation in professional organizations. Results suggest a variety of factors (attitude, need, faculty and peer influence, gender, and school) were related to…

Proposes developmental approach to smoking education and prevention for children and adolescents. Reviews literature concerning most appropriate agent, content, and presentation of antismoking education for different ages, concluding that best agents for young children are parents and best agents for pre/early adolescents are peers. For…

Surveyed college freshmen revealed similarities between college and high school drug use. Entering freshmen established friendships akin to high school relationships in which drugs and alcohol were used. Therefore, alcohol and drug use may be important determining factors in choosing new college friends. College orientation could help students…

Presents a quantitative study of the development of a theoretical model of drop-outs from distance education courses. Data collected by the Distance Education Student Progress (DESP) questionnaire from 1,060 students in Hong Kong investigated how students were able to integrate demands of their academic course with those of families, employers,…

To examine the influence of friends on school achievement motivation, each of 118 eighth graders was paired with a close friend to discuss dilemmas concerning achievement motivation or an unrelated topic. Friends' decisions on motivational dilemmas were more similar after discussion than before. Discussions did not cause more extreme decisions.…