Three articles--"Youth at Risk: Extension's Hard Decisions" (Sauer), "Youth Are at Risk and So Are We..." (Hoopfer), and "Youth at Risk--Time for Action" (Junge)--address the role of cooperative extension and 4-H in youth development and why leadership arising from extension's strengths is imperative. (SK)

The Center for Teacher Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee was designed to reform teacher education programs. The collaborative operation of a beginning course to introduce students to the field of education and to the approach to professional training applied at the center is presented. (SM)

College traditions and their role in student development is discussed. Ceremonies reflect the community of people who are involved in their creation and perpetuation. Ceremony's role in student development is described. (MLW)

Drawing from research on the non-classroom development of commuter and residential college students, presents an overview of the developmental patterns of the two groups and discusses causes of the differences between them. Considers faculty and peer group influences and the development of self-concept. (DMM)

"The Mentor Network" is a program designed for self-selected, gifted college students. In the program, highly motivated students are matched with mentors in their fields of interest and meet weekly to share ideas and experiences. Vignettes describe the successful results of three mentor-student partnerships. (JDD)

Describes dilemma discussion approach used in 10-session program, based largely on cognitive-developmental theory, that is aimed at helping middle school students progress in their reasoning about using drugs. Ways in which the program provides students with opportunities to examine their current reasoning on drug use, consider peer perspectives,…

Describes five trends that have contributed to increased importance of student affairs administrators on college campuses. Concludes that student affairs professionals during the next decade will be key players in institutional planning and policy making. (CM)

Describes changes in college student characteristics that have increased gulf between teachers and students. Contends that student affairs professionals can fill gap through use of innovative tools like Tracking Retention and Academic Integration by Learning Styles (TRAILS) that provide faculty with information about individual student learning…

Reports on collaborative effort at Seattle University to bring closer together academic and student life administrative components. Describes typical academic and student life model and "Horizon Model" that structurally integrates academic and student life missions to promote student cognitive and affective growth. (Author/CM)

Composite measures of reading performance and symbol-processing speed were analyzed in a total of 105 reading-disabled children (age 7-12) and 97 controls over an interval of 4-8 years. Rates of change in reading performance were highly similar for subjects and controls, but differences in symbol-processing speed increased as a function of age.…

Flexibility, diversity, and efficiency can make small colleges "the educational entrepreneurs" of the nation. By using interdisciplinary programs, independent studies, adjunct professors, and some creativity, they can develop exciting and valuable programs that anticipate the needs of society. (MLW)

Describes an aerobic exercise program that (1) improved the physical condition, self-image, and self-control of emotionally disabled, middle school students; (2) increased positive peer attention; and (3) decreased stigma for the emotional disabilities special education program. (SV)

At their best, counselors should show students that to make decisions about college choice is to take charge of their lives. When students have been able to come to grips with their values, strengths, deficiencies and priorities, they are in a position to develop criteria to use in decision making. (MLW)

To help reverse the underachievement pattern in gifted students, educators should seek out less-evident indicators of strengths and abilities, incorporate those abilities into the classroom curriculum, recognize evidence of a sustained will to learn, and be realistic and optimistic about signs of improvement. (PB)

Reviews models and theories related to student development and offers a series of strategies and tactics to help student development administrators put theory into practice and make changes for the decade ahead. (DMM)