This paper shows examples of thought-provoking picture and chapter books that can be used as springboards for discussing, analyzing, and solving authentic problems by pre-school through middle-level children in diverse settings. The paper begins with a description of a conference presentation which introduced participants to the notion of using…

This study examined the relationship between six dimensions of parental marital conflict and adolescent health risk behaviors, including substance abuse and sexual activity. Subjects were 151 European American adolescents and 110 Mexican American adolescents, ages 12-15, and their parents. Parents reported on their inter-parental conflict at…

The time for school psychologists to invest concentrated and intensive intervention is when students are very young and still in general education settings. This paper presents suggestions on ways to accomplish this through data collection, design of an intervention, staff training, modifying an intervention, and teamwork. To illustrate the…

School violence is an increasingly serious problem, especially in big cities and public schools. This publication surveys popular methods of violence prevention and divides them into three classes: school-management measures, environmental modification, and educational and curriculum-based measures. The review also considers structural conditions…

This bibliography is designed to help administrators, special educators, general educators, and other school personnel access the wide body of knowledge available about behavioral matters, to aid in understanding and effectively addressing the behavior challenges associated with different disabilities, including autism,…

Prepared in support of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS), which will examine children's early school experiences beginning with kindergarten, this working paper focuses on research regarding the measurement of young children's social competence, adaptive behavior, and approaches to learning. The paper reviews the key variables and…

The importance of examining classroom processes was highlighted in a 1992 British report on primary education, which emphasized the role of classroom management. Before that, several studies determined that misbehavior was small-scale and not widespread. For example, the 1989 Elton Report was a national policy document that described the extent of…

This publication features articles on prevention of school violence and the development of student self-discipline. It describes programs to help students at risk socially and academically. Practical and promising approaches to positive behavioral interventions and strategies are presented in a step-by-step format. Approaches to school discipline…

For chronically troublesome students educational strategies of exclusion currently lead to revolving door syndrome, resulting in ever-increasing learning deficits, and further inappropriate behaviours. Strike Four is an educational paradigm servicing "category three alienated students" (exhibiting significant social and/or emotional difficulties…

A solution for high school male athletes who demonstrate unsportsmanlike behavior during competition is discussed. In recent years, there has been an increase in unsportsmanlike conduct among high school athletes, including the use of profanity and obscene gestures, public expressions of dissatisfaction, negative comments, incidents of vandalism,…

This brief presents an overview of findings from a U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) study that investigated how the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) affected the ability of schools to maintain a safe environment conducive to learning. A study surveyed 272 public middle and high school principals…

This paper examines the extent to which alternative education can meet the needs of disconnected youth who are at risk of economic and social hardship. It summarizes characteristics of disconnected youth, risk factors associated with disconnection, and characteristics of students in selected alternative education settings. The most common factors…

The What Works Briefs are a series of short, easy-to-read, "how-to" information packets designed to: (1) promote practices that support young children's social and emotional development and prevent challenging behaviors; (2) highlight practices, strategies, and intervention procedures that have been found to effectively prevent and address…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 requires Individualized Education Program teams to consider positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) based on functional behavioral assessment for students with disabilities whose behavior impedes their learning or the learning of others. To meet federal mandates, educational…

This paper examines how policies on student behavior and attendance are used to push students into dropping out of school. Although in the public mind the proliferation of dropouts is associated with a drain on the economy, there is no real evidence to indicate either that there actually are large numbers of dropouts or that dropping out is…