Suggests the use of self-management techniques to improve student performance. Discusses three areas of student involvement: selecting goals or standards, assessing and recording performance, and rewarding oneself when performance reaches specified goal. Sees academic benefits of this method as greater student responsibility, success, and…

Reports on an experimental program in the Mary Immaculate parish, Dallas, Texas, which coordinated religious instruction in the school and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) classes. (DS)

Perceives an increase in adult expectations of children's competence and a concomitant narrowing of what is considered normal child behavior. Questions the growing practice of placing children in "transition,""pre-K," and "pre-first" classes, and in pull-out "gifted" programs. Calls for greater acceptance of variety among children. (PAA)

Describes the activities and benefits of Positive Peer Groups (PPG), a Cleveland-based diocese program involving 40 schools. Designed for students with behavioral or academic problems, it focuses on school service projects that teach students to develop and implement valuable social skills. Describes the positive social and academic effects PPG…