Fear of the "racist" label often leads to dysfunctional home-school communication, which disadvantages students of color. Giving honest feedback is crippled by cultural images and messages affirming whites' assumed superiority and people of color's assumed inferiority. This cycle can be interrupted by acknowledging its existence. Teachers must…

A successful Portland (Oregon) program creates mentoring adult relationships in the lives of high-risk children. Paid staff members sign a contract to work with up to eight children for 10 years, beginning at age 6-7, providing positive adult role models; early intervention; and opportunities for the children to explore talents, learn life skills,…

Describes an after-school program in which 54 youth mentors worked with 584 elementary and middle-school children in small groups over a two-year period. Focuses on bonding, prosocial norms, peer influence, participant characteristics, service features, and other factors. Outcomes suggest that the program benefitted both children and mentors. (RJM)

Presents the results of the UNESCO global study on media violence and children which was conducted between 1996 and 1997. Highlights include the role of the media, media heroes as role models, media violence and aggression, differences by gender, rural versus urban environments, the pervasiveness of television, and recommendations. (Author/LRW)

Study tests familial and adult influences, peer relations, and distal contextual factors as correlates of a continuous measure of bullying behavior within a sample of middle school students. Results reveal parental physical discipline, time spent without adult supervision, negative peer influences, and neighborhood safety concerns were each…

The author of "Reaching Up For Manhood" discusses troubling social/environmental conditions confronting boys. Raising better boys requires caring adults, safer risk-taking situations, positive reinforcement, and role models. Parents should monitor boys' media exposure, provide moral education, broaden their cultural and natural-world…

Parent responses to 4-H surveys evaluating the outcomes of camp experiences indicate that children improved most in areas of social competencies and self-confidence. Caring staff and exposure to a variety of learning opportunities were two of the most positive aspects of the camp experience. Similar research is being conducted by various national…

This qualitative study examined the career development experiences of 17 highly achieving women with physical and sensory disabilities. Interviews were conducted and data were analyzed using modified grounded theory strategies (A. L. Strauss & J. Corbin, 1998). The emergent theoretical model was conceptualized as a system of influences organized…

The practice that has come to be known as "tracking" began as a response to the influx of immigrant children into America's schools during the early 20th century. To educate this newly diverse student population, school officials thought it necessary to sort children into different "tracks" based on their ability or past performance. With the new…

Little attention has been given in the literature to the unique issues that queer therapists who work with heterosexual and queer clients face. Of particular interest is whether, how, when, and why queer therapists self-disclose their sexual identities, or come out, to clients. This article reviews stage models of sexual identity development and…

This article presents the findings of a small study in a single school of a post-1992 university. The study considered the roles of the online academic and ascertained perceived competencies in these roles. The findings suggest gender differences in perceptions of the importance of online roles and gaps between roles and perceived competencies in…

The overarching goal of the social studies curriculum is to promote civic competence and to develop students' ability to make informed and reasoned decisions as citizens in a diverse and democratic society within an interdependent world. Philosophically, citizenship is the goal of social studies. Involvement in social action is the key for young…

This paper measures the effects of living near a ''high quality'' college on the college attended. If local colleges provide information about postsecondary education or role models for youth, they may generate ''spillover'' effects that increase the quality of the college attended, even for individuals who do not attend college locally. Using…

What is the impact of the international school experience on the children of educators who live and study in close proximity with their parents and parents' colleagues? In this study, educators, who are teachers, counselors, specialists and administrators, describe their impressions of the benefits and challenges of this unique expatriate family…

One of the areas of increased importance to social work pedagogy is the development of culturally competent practice skills. In focus groups, first and second year students, and recent alumni reflected on their growing awareness and competence concerning cultural diversity. Meaningful patterns emerged emphasizing the importance of psychologically…