Provides a model of understanding and evaluating manualized treatments by beginning with a review of the theory and data-driven principles upon which one treatment, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), is based. As a point of illustration, several principles of PCIT, such as reinforcement, punishment, and stimulus control, are highlighted, and…

Discusses how a "disruptive" kindergarten student in a summer school program blossomed in a different classroom environment where there was an atmosphere of love and trust. Notes that the student was an active learner, and his new classroom environment encouraged that type of learning. (RS)

"Creating the Dropout" traces the history of school leaving and the concept of the dropout. The dropout was invented, not discovered, only being explicitly recognized after 1960. Inventing the dropout became a way to channel general concerns about the condition of cities, identifying dropouts as authors of their own troubles. (SLD)

Many students with learning difficulties have trouble solving mathematical word problems. Presents DISCOVER, an intelligent tutoring system that teaches students this task with less failure and frustration. Features a review of literature on word problem instruction, an explanation of intelligent tutoring systems, and a description of DISCOVER.…

Reflecting on his early days in youth work, Dr. Henry Maier discusses his days on the front lines at Pioneer House as a young colleague of Fritz Redl and David Wineman. Pioneer House, in Detroit Michigan, was a home for boys that provided a treatment approach to behavior problems. (BF)

An alternative public school in Atlanta (Georgia) for expelled, violent, and adjudicated youth from grades 4-12 is described. Challenge courses and adventure initiatives are used to develop self-awareness, trust, empathy, communication, character, problem solving, conflict resolution, and leadership skills that translate into improved academic…

This paper describes a proportional reasoning problem set within a real-life context and a complete analysis of one small group discussion of this problem over the course of a 90-minute block. The seventh-grade students' discourse is described to provide insights into typical mathematical interpretations of this problem, as well as some…

This study compared the effectiveness of 3 procedures for teaching 62 elementary students with learning disabilities to identify the correct algorithm in solving addition and subtraction word problems. The group receiving strategy teaching and sequencing practice problems and the group receiving strategy teaching only scored higher than…

This study examines the updating ability of poor or good problem solvers. Seventy-eight fourth-graders, 43 good and 35 poor arithmetic word problem-solvers, performed the Updating Test used in Palladino et al. [Palladino, P., Cornoldi, C., De Beni, R., and Pazzaglia F. (2002). Working memory and updating processes in reading comprehension. Memory…

Objective: To examine gender differences among children meeting symptom criteria for DSM-IV attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) identified in a nationally representative sample of Australian children. Method: From 2,404 children aged 6 to 13 years, 225 boys and 99 girls with ADHD symptoms were identified using the parent version of the…

This study evaluated the dimensionality of the construct of social problem solving and examined the relationships between social problem solving and empathy, emotional well-being and family well-being in a sample of secondary school students in Hong Kong (N = 1462). The participants completed measures of social problem solving (the 25-item short…

Many students attending public schools exhibit discipline problems such as disruptive classroom behaviour, vandalism, bullying, and violence. Establishing effective discipline practices is critical to ensure academic success and to provide a safe learning environment. In this article, we describe the effects of whole-school positive behaviour…

Problem-based learning architecture typically involves a shift in three loci of educational preoccupation, namely (1) content coverage to problem engagement; (2) role of lecturing to role of coaching; and (3) students as passive learners to that of active problem-solvers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the issues of students' experiences…

A common feature of interventions for students with behavioral difficulties is an attempt by such authorities as parents and teachers to establish increased control over students' behaviors, which can lead to countercontrol. Attempts to exert even greater control over a student who is countercontrolling increase the student's opportunity to…

In this article, the author addresses the concern of a teacher with students who exhibit discipline problems. She presents several suggestions to help make children obey and respect the teacher. Some of her suggestions include: (1) greeting each child by name at the door as they arrive; (2) standing tall and using a firm voice to convey authority;…