Longitudinal study examined effect of children's gender on tendencies of mothers to use specific antecedents in ascribing causal explanations for their children's sixth grade mathematics performance. Path analyses showed that, for both mothers of boys and mothers of girls, maternal perceptions of child performance were associated with…

Students acquire information about their abilities by observing the differential treatment accorded high and low achievers. They then revise their own achievement expectations and perform according to the expectations perceived. This article reports the findings of two studies of elementary school reading classes that tested hypotheses derived…

Two perspectives are presented on some of the questions raised as the doctrine of the college 'in loco parentis' re-emerges as a campus issue, including student, parent, and institutional expectations. (MSE)

A weekly discussion group for first-year medical graduate students to discuss stress in their lives revealed three major sources of stress: (1) high expectations of themselves under conditions of high time and professional pressure; (2) loss of control over one's life; and (3) ambivalence about dependence versus independence. (MSE)

Because of cultural conflicts and policy or procedural barriers for Hispanic women pursuing higher education, the academic advising function is important. Advisers' understanding of the Hispanic culture and values, awareness of barriers created by color and language, and information about available support services will increase Hispanic women's…

Describes a Rationale-Emotive-Therapy (RET) approach as a classroom method for reducing students' communication apprehension. Compares RET with two other classroom methods (desensitization and communication skills training) and concludes that all three methods work equally well. (PD)

If you're tired of books that portray effective classrooms as well-oiled machines, then here's a book that gives you a more realistic view of classroom life while it reveals the universal truths of high-quality teaching: (1) Why teaching requires continuous assessment, analysis, and adjustment; (2) How teachers set strict expectations and still…

A stocktake of issues and activities in vocational education and training in schools through the perspectives of the published literature and policy documentation between 1997 and 2003 is the subject of this report. It identifies progress made and concludes that vocational programs in schools are meeting expectations and have achieved a legitimate…

Engagement is a potentially useful construct for organizing strategies to support adjustment, achievement and retention in school, particularly among our most vulnerable student populations. Even if high quality schooling is available, high levels of achievement will implicitly demand engagement on the part of students. This initial analysis,…

Building capacity within schools and districts for continuous improvement is a goal of educators at all levels across the United States of America. An important first step in capacity building is identifying schools' current strengths and weaknesses. Schools can then begin building upon existing strengths to implement improvement initiatives.…

In schools, the learning and optimal development of children with adaptive or behavioral problems may be seriously affected. In many schools, such problems are so prevalent that demand time and energy of the educators may dilute the educational experience of all children. This study examines the impact of the Primary Mental Health Project-- a…

This brief defines school capacity as the presence of characteristics needed to support the development of a thriving learning community. The literature on school improvement suggests that a school's capacity for improvement can be supported by coherent structures, constructive teacher and leadership practices, and positive staff perceptions of…

One suggestion for educational improvement is the implementation of specialized schools that offer specific training with a focus. New York and a number of other cities have turned to this choice to offer specialized schools of mathematics and technology. The movement is coordinated on a national level by the National Consortium of Specialized…

This guide discusses an approach to discipline which focuses on student self-control as opposed to external control imposed by the teacher. After "Introduction: Caring Teachers Can Make a Difference," the ten chapters are: (1) "Setting the Stage for Appropriate Behavior"; (2) "Expectations, Limits and Rules"; (3) "Encouragement, Praise, and…

This paper presents detailed classroom management strategies for teachers working in middle- and secondary-level classrooms. The strategies include: (1) plan lessons that are well organized and fully developed, showing all the components of the teaching-learning cycle using a variety of strategies and activities that reflect multiple learning…