Reports evidence that some students have reading problems because of instructional emphasis on reading as "exact word reproduction," or of student tendencies to focus too keenly on word-attack skills. (RL)

Maintains that the traditional approach to behavior problems in secondary schools has been reactive and largely negative. Reviews research on behavior intervention methods and preventative practices. Finds that reports on whole-school innovations are positive and considers practical implications for educational psychologists. (CFR)

Reviewed research findings with respect to family influences on student achievement. Identified five family and home environmental factors that affect student achievement and whose effects may be altered through intervention: parent expectations and attributions, structure for learning, home affective environment, discipline, and parent…

Presents data on personal, family, peer, and school factors associated with preadolescent students manifesting anger-related problems at school. Results indicate that cumulative positive and negative experiences at home, in school, and with peers have a major impact on the frequency and intensity of anger experienced at school. Urges school…

Investigates the effectiveness of peer facilitator interventions with disruptive middle school students. Provides evidence that eighth-grade peer facilitators can be effective with sixth-grade problem behavior students. Facilitators demonstrated that they could help students who are having problems adjusting to school, especially in terms of their…

Violence in schools has reached epidemic proportions. This paper uses an educator's perspective to examine issues of school violence. It is believed that violence arises from a combination of family-related issues, the media, hatreds and phobias, and poverty. Families have become increasingly fractured and dysfunctional while violence on…

Issues in effective diagnosis of such dishonest behavior as cheating, lying, and nonconfrontative stealing are discussed. Published intervention approaches for dishonest behavior are reviewed, including negative sanctions, direct appeals to morality, public affirmation, covert sensitization, timeout, reinforcement contingency procedures, and…

Using studies from many countries, the author reviews the advantages and disadvantages of three designs for bilingual instruction: delivery in the second language, initial instruction in the mother tongue, and mixed delivery in both languages. Cognitive development and students' attitudes toward their native language are considered. (SJL)

Basic features and methodological requirements of a cognitive-behavioral perspective on childhood anxieties and phobias and their social and academic implications are discussed. Topics addressed include disorder classification, multimethod problem solving, data collection treatment techniques, and the role of teachers. (TJH)

Suggests that music education by its nature is well suited to meeting the special needs of at-risk students. Discusses the role of music in motivating and enabling students to succeed. Defines the causes of failure as inability and lack of desire to learn when at-risk students receive the wrong kind of instruction. (DK)

Theories and research findings relating to the development, treatment, and effects of communication apprehension (CA) are presented in this paper. The first section, which traces the etiology and development of CA, posits a relationship between environment, personality constellations, and CA. A section on treatment of CA reviews and compares three…

Identifies difficulties faced by school-aged children living on overseas military bases. Ways in which separation from extended family, transient status, and changes in life-style can affect classroom behavior are discussed. Counselor techniques to aid overseas teachers dealing with such problems are suggested. (NRB)

Discusses the impact of graduate education on marital and family relations, and finances. Concludes that the graduate school experience produces familial stress and is potentially destructive to family life, especially for married female students, and suggests the need for college student personnel intervention and research. (Author)

Examines the special needs fomented by sexual orientation when considering graduate education and access to the academic job market. Offers information on terms and definitions regarding sexual orientation, cultural influences, the relationship between one's personal and professional life, institutional policy, coming out, faculty-student…

Reviews the literature on the reasons that students drop out of college. Offers a plan for freshman retention that asks students about their goals at registration, provides them with a six-hour orientation emphasizing academic excellence, teams them with a faculty mentor, and includes a mandatory for-credit seminar on attending college. (DMM)