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…

Discusses the characteristics of child abusers and physical and behavioral indicators of child abuse. Advocates parenthood education programs for children and parents as child abuse preventive measures. Suggests ways that educators can handle cases of suspected child abuse. (DMM)

Logistic and Cox regression methods are practical tools used to model the relationships between certain student learning outcomes and their relevant explanatory variables. The logistic regression model fits an S-shaped curve into a binary outcome with data points of zero and one. The Cox regression model allows investigators to study the duration…

Major activities of the alcohol education program at Michigan State University are described, with focus on the assessment and program formulation process, staff training needed to implement the program, the kinds of alcohol education activities that can be conducted, and the role of evaluation and research in improving alcohol education efforts.…

In schools, youngsters with serious emotional and learning problems usually are assisted under the auspices of "special education." Of course, many students with behavior, learning, and emotional problems don't meet the criteria for special education. Their needs must be addressed through support programs and other accommodations. This…

Describes techniques for successful behavioral contracting with children, such as positively defining the desired behavior, establishing a behavioral count, and rewarding the behavior. Argues that, in addition to impeding inappropriate or off-task behavior, the contracting system also works with children who are shy and withdrawn. (RJM)

This report describes the ESEA, Title I Elementary School Guidance Program instituted in 22 Norfolk elementary schools. The primary purpose of the program is to provide an organized developmental service that promotes positive child growth and development. This is to be accomplished through zealous efforts to achieve the following objectives: (1)…

This paper is concerned with conflicts which arise for students in the university setting as a result of having ethnic backgrounds different from the middle-class norm. There are a variety of ways in which an ethnic student can find himself in a classroom situation where behaviors which had evoked positive reinforcement in his subculture are now…

When it comes to student support, widespread agreement exists for moving in new directions. It is easy to agree that change is needed. It is harder to agree on what the changes should look like. And, it is even harder to get from here to there. The intent of this paper is to focus the discussion about new directions for student support by…

This text gives social workers tools for effective and ethical practice in school settings. Readers learn practical skills for observation, assessment, intervention, and research that will enable them to respond to the needs of diverse students from preschool through the secondary grades. The book presents strategies for dealing with particular…

Major points emphasized in this report include: (1) School improvement planning is not appropriately and effectively addressing barriers to learning; (2) Leaders for student/learning supports must mobilize and prepare student support personnel to become an integral and effective agent in school improvement planning and decision making; and (3) The…

This action research project implemented and evaluated an intervention for increasing prosocial behaviors while decreasing inappropriate behaviors among elementary school children. The targeted population consisted of elementary school students in both lower- and upper-middle-class communities located in central Illinois. The problem of poor…

Barriers to learning and teaching interfere with students' ability to participate effectively and benefit fully from classroom instruction and other educational activities. For school improvement efforts to succeed in ways that truly improve student achievement and student test scores, systemic changes must be made in how schools provide learning…

Many teens experience a time when keeping up with school work is difficult. Some adolescents are able to get through this time with minimal assistance from their parents or teachers. However, when the difficulties last longer than a single grading period or are linked to a long-term pattern of poor school performance, parents and teachers may need…

Describes a family-school intervention model that shifts the ownership of a child problem prevention and solution from therapy office to school and that assertively confronts the adult, especially marital dynamics underlying many child problems. Discusses politics of collaboration and implications for the functioning of marriage and family…