Synthesizes available literature that addresses: (1) utilization patterns of alcohol-related services by Mexican Americans; (2) existing therapeutic approaches which take into account cultural factors; and (3) existing approaches to alcohol abuse education and prevention for this population. Discusses research needs and the need for…

Views on the curability of mental retardation are reviewed. The implication of the view of Drash et al., that current technology makes total habilitation possible for many people, is refuted. Efforts should continue in replication research, follow-up, etc. Setting a goal of total habilitation for an individual should be exercised cautiously. (KM)

Discusses the necessity of retention systems for talented black students at white universities. Programs must take into consideration their financial needs, the process of transition from high school to college, and the opportunity for professional development. Examines components of a minority achievers program at Indiana University in…

Presents the academic and industrial perspectives on the need for additional emphasis on safety. Outlines one approach for teaching a safety-related course including five video sessions on a brief description; safety equipment and procedures; inspection of laboratory area; safety experiments; and reviews. (RT)

Illinois special educators' (N=75) rankings of prevalence of crime victimization and delinquency among educable mentally retarded, behaviorally disordered, and learning-disabled students matched rankings seen in state crime report records. Behaviorally disordered students were more often victims and perpetuators of violent crime than were the…

Recounts the problems of a high school chemistry program in safely storing and disposing of chemicals. Describes the school's new system of inventorying and dating all chemicals, using warning stickers, isolating certain hazardous substances, and cataloging references to the use of each chemical and its container. (TW)

Addresses the history and philosophy of accident prevention in chemistry laboratories. Presents the results of a statewide survey done in Colorado designed to investigate the etiology of academic chemistry laboratory accidents in institutions of higher education. Patterns of accident characteristics identified by the student are discussed. (TW)

A 24-city program called "Career Beginnings" designed to encourage students who might be on the verge of dropping out to finish high school and attend college is described. The program brings together colleges, high schools, and businesses in an effort to improve the prospects of disadvantaged high-school students. (MLW)

For poor and minority teenagers the lack of adequate life options may increase their desire for early pregnancy. Since teen mothers face probable poverty and single parenthood, it is imperative that schools and school social workers provide counseling, health services, and work preparation as well as academic skills training. (VM)

The educational reform movement has proven largely irrelevant to urban minority students' needs. Dropout prevention programs have bestowed meaningless diplomas, while side-stepping the root causes of failure and underachievement. Urban high schools are large and impersonal and have a sour, dispirited atmosphere that discourages learning. Clearly,…

Issues in effective diagnosis of such dishonest behavior as cheating, lying, and nonconfrontative stealing are discussed. Published intervention approaches for dishonest behavior are reviewed, including negative sanctions, direct appeals to morality, public affirmation, covert sensitization, timeout, reinforcement contingency procedures, and…

Emphasis on basis skills, standardized testing and curriculum standardization in alternative education programs creates the same conditions that originally lead students to drop out. Flexibility of alternative education programs is important. These nontraditional programs should exist as part of the many options that can meet the needs of…

Cites the high dropout rates for native students in Saskatchewan urban centers and suggests that the inner-city native alternative school may be the best way to return students to some form of education leading to eventual employment. Lists 17 "do's" and "don'ts" for effective alternative schools. (JHZ)

Determined that an instructional unit on laboratory safety could increase student safety knowledge and reduce the number of unsafe behaviors. A list of unsafe behaviors which were observed with the 333 students is included. A recommendation that positive attitudes toward safety be developed is given. (DH)

Comparison of poor Australian-born and immigrant mothers revealed a significantly higher rate of depression among recently arrived, non-English-speaking immigrant mothers having no supporting social network. Depressed Australian-born mothers often had unhappy, unstable, and insecure childhoods. Behavioral problems in infants and preschool children…