The title of this year's annual report has particular meaning for all of the staff at the Philadelphia Youth Network. The phrase derives from Philadelphia Youth Network's (PYN's) new vision statement, developed as part of its recent strategic planning process, which reads: All of our city's young people take their rightful places as full and…

Describes a workshop for college women designed to facilitate awareness of alternative ways of viewing personal relationships so that personal and professional needs can be met. The group format explores the range of available relationships, considers vocational choices and sociocultural influences and includes a review and evaluation. (JAC)

Presents general comments outlining the major features of the needs of teachers and assistants from overseas and discusses in-school needs and roles of such teachers and assistants separately. These comments touch on salary, social networks, family support, accommodation, general induction, the position of the native-speaking teacher, important…

Maintains that many of the professional development skills needed to survive and prosper in academia are learned through contacts and activities within professional organizations. Describes a workshop given to graduate students to promote membership in these organizations. Includes a list of 25 professional organizations in sociology. (MJP)

A national survey of parents (n=240) newly referred to Parent to Parent programs was conducted. These programs match an experienced parent of a special needs child in a one-to-one relationship with a newly referred parent. Newly referred parents preferred a wide range of supports, with the child's age and severity of disability affecting the need…

Presents a response to Gifford-Smith and Brownell's "Childhood Peer Relationships: Social Acceptance, Friendships, and Peer Networks" (this issue). Suggests that an ecological/developmental perspective of the development of peer relationships, the contextualization of knowledge, and the utilization of action research as essential to the future of…

A study of a junior high school inclusion program that provided four students with disabilities with nondisabled student aids found the students with disabilities experienced growth in levels of independence, social networks, academic skills, and in behavior. Describes beneficial outcomes for the student aids and contributing successful program…

Interviews with low-income, American Indian, single parents on the Rosebud Reservation in Todd County, South Dakota, included families who were on and who had left Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Welfare reform issues discussed included transportation problems; access to affordable, quality child care; food insecurity; and the scarcity of…

Reports survey results from 2,234 Montana students on drinking prevalence, age at first drink, drinking consequences, nondrinkers' reasons for abstinence, acquaintance with teenage alcoholics, friends' drinking behavior, and drinking and driving. Finds prevalence of alcohol use among Indians significantly higher than that of non-Indians. Discusses…

Suggests a dilemma confronts sociologists in the review and publication of their works. Claims that relying on peer review impedes the practice of open and fair judgments because social networks bind people to one another. Observes that peer review can limit new and critical thinking. Urges that manuscripts be judged on their own merits. (NL)

Describes "program without walls" for developing community services in rural areas. Emphasizes importance of creative collaboration and redesign of traditional support programs to offer comprehensive community services tailored to needs of rural families and individuals. Suggests practical applications of "without walls" model. (Author/TES)

Teachers determine how much school reform filters down to the classrooms. Teacher networks appear to be one of the few realistic options for restructuring the education enterprise. (SI)

Focuses on a European Co-operation Program designed to foster self-development in the teaching of foreign languages during the residency of established foreign scholars. The program aims to utilize an extensive network of contacts to develop structures, procedures, and learning support materials enabling language teachers to enhance their…

Developed peer-led telephone support and advising network for adult learners at one university. Peer leaders (n=22) contacted total of 116 new students with 3 calls each during first semester. Adult learners in telephone program were retained at level greater than those in control group. Two groups did not differ significantly in grade point…

Describes Eastern Kentucky Teachers' Network (EKTN), developed by Foxfire Teacher Outreach program for training teachers in "Foxfire approach" to education. Describes development of EKTN from summer workshop idea to three-woman office. Describes classroom projects initiated by EKTN, and program's effect on teachers. (TES)