Raises questions about current rural sociology from a critical theory perspective. Provides a brief historical analysis of its theoretical and applied roots. Suggests interweaving of research, practice, and advocacy as way to bring rural sociologists back into policy making. (LFL)

Rule changes are summarized and the institutions and conferences voting against some of them are listed. The rules concern institutional self-study, academic reporting, member discipline, coach rule violations, eligibility, expenditures, playing season, compliance, meetings, sponsorship, and playing rules. (MSE)

Surveyed 1,596 adolescents to determine what sort of secondary schools they would like. The majority were happy with the status quo but expected schools to be less authoritarian concerning rules. Students wanted more say in what they learned and better student-teacher relationships. No strong desire for deschooling was indicated. (JAC)

A study that investigated whether or not those accepted to medical school distinguish themselves from nonaccepted applicants in regard to selected personal characteristics is reported. The findings indicated that science and nonscience majors did not differ in their academic credentials for medical school. (Author/MLW)

Challenges facing school transportation programs include pressure from community groups for extended service, austerity imposed by conservative county commissions, increasing driver militancy, declining district purchasing power, rapid turnover of drivers, and growing disciplinary problems aboard buses. (MCG)

Presents findings of a national survey intended to provide a foundation for subsequent polls and to compare teachers' attitudes toward schools with the public's. Reports opinions on a wide variety of general, political, professional, disciplinary, and academic issues in education. (MCG)

Too many students are losing critical opportunities for learning,and too many teachers are leaving the profession because of the behavior of a few persistent trouble makers. What?s more, say teachers, today?s misbehaving students are quick to remind them that students have rights and their parents can sue. These are some key findings in this…

This monograph proposes an approach to discipline that emphasizes school community building and offers examples from the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES) and the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD), both in Washington, DC. Following discussion of the problem of violence in today's schools, the paper addresses the importance of…

This book addresses the black-white achievement gap from an ethnographic, qualitative perspective. By focusing on middle class black students and documenting their experiences, it demonstrates that the problems black students encounter in school are much more pervasive than the literature and prevailing wisdom suggest and that class-based analyses…

This issue of the quarterly newsletter, "PLAINTalk," is the first in a four part series, reprinting chapters from Sharon and Craig Ramey's book, "Going to School." This issue presents practical and useful techniques for parents, covering the following topics: (1) How Parents Can Help Children Learn; (2) How Does Your Child's Brain Work; (3) The…

Using the base year data of parent interviews (n=15,376) conducted by the U. S. Department of Education for the national Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS-K), this study examined patterns of parenting style of Asian-American parents (n=536) in six domains. Descriptive and ANOVA analyses revealed significant differences between…

How can lasting change be made in the way art is taught in U.S. schools? This was the challenge facing six regional professional development consortia sponsored by the Getty Education Institute for the Arts (Los Angeles, California). This publication documents the change effort, which is unique because it has affected thousands of students and…

This study examined students' perceptions of teacher burnout in relation to the occurrence of disruptive student behavior and teacher competence to cope with this behavior. It also examined whether three survey instruments could be adapted to enable students to report on their teachers' psychosocial wellbeing. Participants were students in their…

This monograph, one of a series on youth with disabilities and the juvenile justice system, focuses on best practices for reducing delinquency and preventing recidivism. This essay notes that, because of the connection between disability and delinquency, it is likely that a significant portion of court-involved, disabled youth can be expected to…

New research in brain development reveals the vital importance of the relationship between caregiver and child in the critical first years of life. This videotape explores the role of parents in stimulating early childhood development. The approximately 29-minute videotape discusses: (1) attachment and the role of touch in creating a bond between…