The key culprit in academic failures is teachers' attitudes about students' learning abilities. Several ways to correct this bias and to help all students realize their potential are discussed. (CJ)

Theoretical issues concerning change and the phenomenon of resistance are highlighted in this analysis of opposition observed during in-service training of high school and junior high school counselors. Behavioral examples are examined with reference to principles found in current change theory for the would-be change agent. (Author)

Presents results of a study of recent graduates of graduate library and business schools to determine career patterns through data on demographics, family background, education, parent education and occupation, area of specialization, academic standing, employment history, and the factors which respondents considered as influencing career success…

In an investigation using children experiencing reading difficulties, procedures involving partial reinforcement and attribution retraining were assessed in terms of their relative effectiveness in developing reading persistence. (Editor)

Offers a follow-up look at the life of an adult disabled reader and the academic, career, and personal success he has achieved in spite of his limited reading ability. (SR)

The University of Massachusetts is in partnership with a local school district as part of the Education Trust's Transforming School Counseling Initiative. This study evolved from the partnership's concern about the greater-than-expected number of high school students who were failing classes. Summarizes the broad research base the group used as a…

In study 1, fourth and fifth graders who joined a club under performance conditions exhibited more helplessness after apparent rejection than children who joined under learning conditions. In study 2, fourth, fifth, and sixth graders who believed personality was nonmalleable were more likely to endorse performance goals in hypothetical socially…

Process Analysis is described as a method for identifying and measuring the probability of events that could cause the failure of a program, resulting in a cause-and-effect tree structure of events. The method is illustrated through the evaluation of a pilot instructional program at an elementary school. (SLD)

Uses Lipsky's concept of street-level bureaucrat to identify how English teachers in two Chicago public schools respond to student failure within the context of district accountability agenda. Finds, for example, that teachers responded to testing policies by allocating significant classroom time to "teaching to the tests," but employed…

Conducted retrospective study of 82 elderly "failure to thrive" (FTT) inpatients. Findings suggest FTT diagnosis when patient's functional ability to live with multisystem diseases, cope with ensuing problems, and manage own care are remarkably diminished and no longer responsive to health care interventions. Attempt to clarify clinical picture of…

Argues that dropout prevention programs which promote reading success while keeping students on grade level must begin early and be staffed by teachers who believe they can make a difference and who foster positive self-concepts in their students. (MG)

Although grade retention is widely practiced, it does not help children catch up or prevent school dropouts. In one study, children rated the prospect of flunking a grade as more stressful than wetting in class or being caught stealing. Remediation and other within-grade instructional efforts have a more positive success rate. Includes 16…

Every Saturday morning La Crosse, Wisconsin, high school students can earn credit for a failed semester without interrupting the rest of their academic schedule. During the first year of Saturday School, approximately 75 students made up failed courses and regained their confidence in their ability to succeed academically. (MLF)

Discusses how the concept of failure to thrive can be borrowed from pediatrics and redefined for use in caring for older persons, especially institutionalized older persons. Examines issues of undernutrition, declining physical and cognitive functioning, and depression. (Author/ABL)