Deciding whether and how to use assessments to evaluate students' social and emotional (SE) knowledge, attitudes, and skills requires the development and critical appraisal of an assessment plan. At the state, district, and school levels, education leaders and staff can benefit from reviewing best practices and using a structured format to arrive…

Education in the 21st century is awakening to a call for students who are not only proficient with academic content but who also have developed the social and emotional (SE) knowledge, attitudes, and skills that are necessary for success in college and careers. This brief refers to that combination of knowledge, attitudes, and skills as SE…

Assessing individuals' social and emotional (SE) knowledge, attitudes, and skills is a complex task. It requires careful consideration of the assessment purpose, rigor, practicality, burden, and ethics. Once you have considered these factors and have determined that you are, in fact, "Ready to Assess," you are ready to act and choose an…

This article presents the results of a mediation analysis of Project MYTRI (Mobilizing Youth for Tobacco Related Initiatives in India), a randomized, controlled trial of a multiple-component, school-based tobacco prevention program for sixth- to ninth-graders (n = 14,085) in Delhi and Chennai, India. A mediation analysis identifies "how"…

This report describes attempts to inform regular elementary teachers about the needs of handicapped students and to change negative attitudes about special education. Informal staff workshops addressed legislation, common characteristics of handicapped students, and successful techniques for incorporating students with various disabilities into…

A remedial program was designed for Oregon Health Sciences University clerkship students demonstrating adequate clinical skills but inadequate knowledge. In two years, six students were enrolled in the tutorial program. The experience was highly successful for all but one. Participants saw it as one of their best medical school experiences.…

A survey of 260 graduate social work students found their knowledge of and attitudes toward psychotropic medication uneven and lower than desirable. Results also suggest personal and professional experiences influence knowledge and attitudes. It is recommended that social work course content be expanded to include relevant information on these…

A survey of 95 first-year and 91 fourth-year dental students concerning informatics and computer applications in dentistry investigated knowledge of terms and concepts related to hardware, software, electronic communication, and dental applications; opinions concerning use of the technology; and extent of experience in 4 areas of use. (MSE)

A study at Illinois Benedictine College compared the advising of freshmen with that of upperclassmen. Upperclassmen rated advisers highly on academic dimensions such as knowledge of major courses and graduation requirements. Freshmen saw advisers as concerned about their college adjustment, helpful with referrals, and interested in their general…

Undergraduate students' educational needs concerning Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and the faculty role in AIDS education are discussed. Results of a study at the Ursinus College (Pennsylvania) campus to assess both knowledge of and attitudes toward AIDS are summarized. Seventy-three percent of the 141 Introductory Psychology students…

In a Texas study of vocational education student loan repayment attitudes, interviews with loan recipients indicate defaults are affected by how much students are pressured to enroll in a program, their understanding of the loan program when signing an application, and how well their vocational education equips them for employment. (Author/MSE)

Maintains that misperceptions or incorrect mental images about relative location and size are common in geography. Reports on a study of 708 students ranging in age from junior high school through undergraduate school. Finds that misperceptions are widespread and exist across grade levels. (CFR)

Reports a study designed to compare science and nonscience Indonesian high school students' (n=400) energy-related knowledge and their attitudes toward energy conservation. Results indicated that (1) students in general have unfavorable attitudes toward energy conservation, and (2) nonscience students are less knowledgeable about energy-related…

A survey of 180 dental students in 3 classes assessed student knowledge of computer-related topics and perceptions of the usefulness of computers in different areas of practice management. Computer ownership and use, computer-related courses taken, software types used, and student characteristics (age, sex, academic achievement, undergraduate…

A study investigated (1) college students' perception of their knowledge and actual knowledge about their student loans (when first borrowed, interest rate, repayment terms) and (2) the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex, marital status, ethnic background, residency, academic achievement, major, employment, loan…