Suggests that the single most important common denominator of the various types of self-help groups examined may be that the role of the person who has already lived through the experience is critical for helping others. (Author/AM)

This report explores best practices of on- and off-campus disciplinary alternative programs in Texas. It is based on a study in which Texas' alternative-program practices were compared with best practices of alternative programs in the United States. Following a literature review of best alternative program practices, a survey was developed to…

The establishment of soundly organized local districts for administering the schools has long been a major problem in American education. Methods of dealing with this problem have varied greatly ranging from compulsory reorganization of districts by legislative decree to dependence upon highly permissive laws to be used or ignored as local people…

Pre, post, and follow-up assessments showed that two tutoring programs (fantasy play tutoring and skill tutoring) had equal impact on the development of nursery school children's cognitive and linguistic development abilities. However, fantasy play tutoring showed a greater potential for maintaining or increasing social participation. (Author/MP)

Surveyed the opinions of (N=3,100) 7th- to 12th-grade students regarding the perceived effectiveness of both pro-smoking and anti-smoking messages. Results indicated that most teenagers were exposed to anti-smoking information and materials in schools. Statistically significant differences existed between smokers and nonsmokers in their…

An advance organizer is a set of conceptual statements about the unifying ideas of a topic in terms already familiar to the learner. A study is reported that sought to determine whether two presentations of an advance organizer for a unit on pathogenic bacteria would result in increasing medical students' knowledge and ability to solve problems in…

A discussion is presented on the relative effectiveness of four relaxation techniques when used in conjunction with a psychosocial stressor. (JMF)

The trend for gross anatomy programs is toward decreasing contact hours. East Tennessee State University reduces dissection hours by having medical students dissect either the upper or lower extremity, but not both. Subsequently, the dissectors study the opposite extremity. A study of examination results indicates that student learning is not…

Two organization development consultants describe and evaluate the two basic consulting methods, the process-consultation model and the doctor-patient model, and provide "readiness" criteria checklists for both the client and patient models. They state that each consulting approach has its place, depending on situational factors. (MF)

This study assessed Egan's hypothesis that a contract, spelling out in advance sensitivity group goals and member behaviors, facilitates positive interaction and interpersonal growth. Although results were not definitive, the contract group did seem to receive some additional benefits from sensitivity training, when compared to the non-contract…

A method of estimating the effects of manpower training programs on the average wage of black workers relative to the average wage of white workers is presented. Conclusions indicate that although the effect of manpower training programs on the black/white wage ratio was positive, the estimated effects were very small. (Author/EC)

Estimated effects of high participation in Infant Health and Development Program targeting low-birth-weight (LBW) premature infants. Found that at age 8, effects of attending more than 400 days on scores on the Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children Full and Verbal Scales was 7 to 10 points. Effects were 14 points for heavier LBW infants and 8…

Investigated the effect of a 3-week school-based nutrition education program on nutrition knowledge and healthy food choices of fifth graders randomly assigned to experimental or control group. Found that the experimental group exhibited a significant increase in nutrition knowledge from pretest to posttest and significant change in compliance in…