Diagnosis of cognitive learning skills could be the first step to reducing painful learning environments. Every student has an individual learning style and different cognitive learning abilities. Teachers need to be aware of these differences and modify instruction based on the student needs. (MLF)

Examined factors relating to student success or failure after transfer from programs for underprepared students at four-year colleges and from two-year community colleges to senior college. Findings from 143 transfer students revealed that large numbers of students did not graduate. Academically successful first semester and number of credits…

Four case studies of failed efforts to increase diversity on college campuses are explored. Examples demonstrate the need to gain commitment of faculty and staff, the need for administrative leadership to take risks, the need to find constructive ways to resolve differences, and the need to anticipate consequences of minority recruitment policies.…

This article synthesizes the research defining social problems of some children with learning disabilities, especially the role of communication skills deficits. Traditional emphases on family dysfunction, school failure, or personality disturbances are seen to be negated by research which suggests that neural aberrations trigger deficient…

Examined age differences in attributions for self-reported successes and failures in important and daily situations. Attributions and affects were collected from 61 young, 21 middle-aged, and 15 older adults. Middle-aged and older adults were more likely than young adults to attribute failure to external causes and to describe more social than…

Studied sexual activity, substance use, and assault among Black children from first grade through age 17. Adolescents with multiple problems differed from others in behavior and parental supervision. Males who only engaged in sexual activity or who had no problems were similar; but females in the same categories differed in family origins. (BC)

Compared decliners (n=102), students who exhibited 20% decline during sophomore year from first-year grade point average (GPA) and maintainers (n=94), students who maintained or improved their first-year GPA. During sophomore year, lack of commitment to school, absenteeism, educational goals, extracurricular activities, and perceptions of…

Develops failure indices and analyzes student teacher failure through snapshots of individuals unable to fulfill either their personal and professional expectations and/or those of their teacher preparation program. Research at three university sites found several relevant factors (age and gender distribution, poor interpersonal skills,…

A follow-up in-depth study of 100 seventh graders who had been previously identified as at risk (39% of whom were identified as eligible for special education) found that, although at-risk students received more intervention strategies than their counterparts, they were still being retained in grade and failing to a greater degree. (SLD)

Social-historical lineages of adolescent alcohol and other drug use prevention programs are examined, tracing risk factor research from assumptions of deviance regarding the mentally ill and considering patterns that have inhibited advances in prevention. To achieve program success, protective factor and harm reduction approaches must be explored.…

Describes a competence/risk theory that hypothesizes that people can use personal competence to influence the probabilities of success or failure in an adventure, providing their perceptions are correct. In a series of linked pathways and feedback loops, a model illustrates the impact of a risk-taking activity on the participant's emotional and…

Despite Professor Wraga's positive claims (in this same "Educational Administration Quarterly" issue), there is a substantial record of failure associated with the comprehensive high school--a stratifying institution that broadens the gap between the fortunate and disadvantaged. Urban high schools have low standards and are resistant to…

This article reviews teaching strategies expected to be effective in alternative education programs for students at risk for school failure, dropout, and delinquency. The need for alternative education programs for students in both special and general education is discussed, along with recommended alternative education strategies and program…

Addresses the poor functioning of the previously black schools in South Africa spawned by apartheid that is commonly termed as 'the breakdown of the culture of teaching and learning.' Analyzes the schools' organization in order to understand why 'the breakdown' and explores interventions to remedy it. (CMK)

An administrative team member/restructuring facilitator analyzes the failure of a block scheduling reform in a small, suburban district. The prevailing dynamics that obstructed success were fear of change, propagandizing of data, and a culture of complacency. These problems could have been avoided by training staff to work in longer periods,…