In rural Swaziland, fathers often migrate for work, leaving wives and children behind. The family is denied the presence of a husband, father, and role model, as well as economic support, which fathers often fail to remit home regularly. A longitudinal study investigated the effects of parent availability and other home characteristics on the…

Discusses five strategies that school counselors can use to help ethnic minority students with career development. Describes strategies for self-concept enhancement, information giving assessment, decision making, and developing culturally relevant career guidance materials. (RC)

Argues that there is no pressure to make Irish an official language in Northern Ireland because the sociolinguistic preconditions for bilingualism do not exist. The article demonstrates that those Irish who do not speak or learn Irish have no less a sense of having an Irish identity than do fluent speakers or those learning Irish. (26 references)…

Asserts that using children's literature to present life stories can reinforce young children's understanding of life span and help them better understand how goals formed in childhood may help determine an individual's future. Briefly reviews and recommends 15 children's books focused on life stories and decision making. (MJP)

A study of seven diverse professional schools suggests that, although a variety of strategies (e.g., early identification, preprofessional contact, resocialization of faculty and matriculated students, and support services) can produce successful affirmative action for women and minority students, a concise, directed program geared to the school's…

Examines how cognitive modeling and self-efficacy affected preservice teachers' learning of teaching strategies. Two groups of students viewed videotaped training sessions with direct instruction or cognitive modeling. They then viewed either self-efficacy or task-oriented commentaries. Results indicated significant effects favoring cognitive…

The dearth of positive role models for young black males may be overcome by creating all-male kindergarten through third grade classes taught by male teachers, preferably black. Using black male volunteers in elementary classrooms, as has a District of Columbia school, is another way to provide positive role models. (SLD)

Evaluated first phase of three-phase research project, Project KICK (Kids in Cooperation with Kids) by examining interaction between parent education, positive peer role modeling, and drug education for third graders. Hypothesized that intervention would lead to increase in self-esteem, improved attitudes, increased knowledge regarding drugs, and…

Explores the origin, meaning, and tradition of the title "First Lady." Discusses the evolving responsibilities of the role and how different women expanded the definition of the office. A list of suggested activities and research projects includes sending birthday cards to former First Ladies, and researching foreign women leaders. (MJP)

This paper summarizes a research study on women in three programs designed to recruit, retain, and graduate persons of color at the University of Minnesota. The literature on mentoring is reviewed in terms of social integration, academic integration, a supportive institutional climate, and quality mentoring. The study used qualitative case study…

The PipeLINK program seeks to attract and retain women and girls in computer science careers. Aimed at girls and women from the high school through the Ph.D. levels, the program suggests activities to aid participants at each level, connect students with role models and mentors, and provides an introduction to a wide variety of computer science…

This manual has been developed to assist school districts in Michigan in their efforts to retain students who have made vocational education choices that are nontraditional for their sex. The manual provides school districts with four alternative ways of supporting nontraditional vocational education students: (1) nontraditional student club; (2)…

A study investigated attitudes and preferences concerning reading among fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students in Portuguese-language schools in the United States. Extrinsic factors influencing students (parents, teachers) were also analyzed. The research took place in 10 schools in 5 states. Data were obtained using questionnaires (students)…

In September 1996, the Missouri Commissioner of Education appointed a statewide task force on the Achievement of African-American Students. The findings of the state-level task force, the views of Missouri students, and the experience of successful educators all support the conclusion that the single most important nontangible element required to…

The contextual factors that influence the infusion of technology into rural and urban schools are explored in this study of technology integration in education. Two case studies of schools that have had a technology-rich environment for at least two years are analyzed using a document review, focus-group interviews, individual interviews, and…