This survey, which measures the attitudes of Americans toward their public schools, is the 13th annual survey in this series. New as well as trend questions are included in this and every survey. Personal, in-home interviews of 1519 adults were conducted in all areas of the nation and in all types of communities. The survey questions addressed:…

By state law, the age of majority was lowered to 18 as of 1972. This pamphlet consists of general guidelines for curricula and school programs in response to questions regarding the implications of the new legislation. For example, school districts are requested to re-examine their civics courses in light of new voting age. It is also recommended…

A 1968 study was undertaken in Michigan with the following objectives: 1) to determine drug utilization rates for public high school seniors; 2) to determine demographic, sociological, and social-psychological correlates of drug utilization; and 3) to acquire information relevant to present and future health education programs. A questionnaire…

This annotated bibliography describes instruments pertaining to smoking attitudes, behaviors, knowledge, and correlates. Information concerns test purpose, intended groups, test subdivisions, administration, scoring, interpretation, and standardization. (MS)

This report on drug abuse in schools is based on 6 years of analysis, focus groups, and field investigations. Prior research has determined that if young people do not engage in smoking or substance abuse by age 21, their chances of engaging later are next to nothing. It has also been determined that next to parents, schools have the greatest…

The initial intent for this study was to tease out the sources of the most critical contributor to individuals' engagement in dangerous behaviors and to add to the literature addressing these at-risk behaviors by attending to the limitations of the current body of literature. White university students (N=60) completed three measures for the study:…

The present study was a cross-sectional examination of the causes of adolescent participation in risky behaviors, using a diverse sample of adolescents from a Midwestern state. This research compared the relative effects of a traditional explanation of deviant behavior, differential association theory, with a modern derivative, nonsocial…

Many parents know they need to talk with their children about making responsible choices but do not know where to begin. This book offers practical advice on how to begin and what to say to third to twelfth graders about drugs, sexuality, peer pressure, stress, health, the law, and mixed media messages. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect…

Noting that swift growth with the accompanying desire for independence during early adolescence creates tension in the family that is often difficult for parents to understand, accept, and handle, this book is designed to help parents adapt their roles to nurture the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of their early teen.…

Provides two lesson plans for classroom use. Focuses on media influence on the use of alcohol and tobacco and on regulatory laws and their effect on drug use. Identifies connections that can be made to textbooks and magazine articles, as well as suggestions for opening, developing, and concluding each lesson. (DK)

Reports racial/ethnic differences in the use of licit and illicit drugs by high school seniors in the United States. Finds relatively low levels of drug use by most non-White youth, especially Black Americans and Asian Americans. Such subgroup differences are not primarily attributable to family or regional influences. (AF)

Analyzes the frequency and correlates of suicidal behaviors among 1,093 male and 1,250 female white and 609 male and 812 female African-American South Carolina public high school students. Suicidal behaviors are not infrequent among adolescents (75% reported no suicidal behaviors); they often coexist with other high-risk behaviors. (SLD)

Low-income Hispanic elementary students were surveyed to determine tobacco use patterns and sociobehavioral correlates. Tobacco experimentation rates increased by age, with boys more prone to starting than girls. Being offered cigarettes was the strongest environmental indicator of tobacco use, followed by having adult smokers at home, and having…

Summarizes results from the 1997 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and trends from 1991 to 1997 in selected risk behaviors. Results indicate that many high school students still practice behaviors that place them at risk for serious health problems, with some behaviors more likely among particular subgroups. Some behaviors vary considerably…

Reports findings from Canadian surveys on adolescent female health-risk behaviors such as smoking, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and sexual activity. Discusses whether the school system has a responsibility to provide related prevention programs and whether the school actually contributes to the development of these problems. Supportive school…