This digest explores the concept of mentoring with gifted students and offers guidelines on its implementation. The literature on mentoring is reviewed, noting the maturing effect of mentor relationships and the particular value of mentors for disadvantaged students and for females. Among six guidelines offered are: decide what (not whom) the…

This paper draws from a case study of first year district implementation of the California Mentor Teacher Program in one of the largest districts in California. The paper focuses on the opportunities offered to teachers who work with mentors. Through the presentation of a selection of vignettes of teachers who worked with mentors, the paper…

A study examined whether there were any differences in the concepts about print, writing vocabulary, and prereading performance of selected kindergarten children who were provided with (1) independent writing time and exposure to a writing model in the school environment, (2) independent writing time without the writing role model, and (3) neither…

A content analysis of programing on the three major television networks was conducted to determine the number of positive role models who read actively on television. Programs on each network were analyzed for one week, and all references to or acts of reading were tabulated and categorized according to their purpose. These included characters…

Different aspects of the mentoring process as reflected in Carter's Mentor Scale (1983) were studied. The scale is composed of 16 statements of mentoring behaviors, including the following functional roles for mentors: role model, emotional supporter/counselor, sponsor, and evaluator. Attention was directed to the following questions: whether the…

As black children are portrayed too often in literature with negative images, it is understandable why they suffer from low self-esteem. In addition to being described as impoverished, black children are shown to be ugly (according to European standards), semiliterate or illiterate, poorly dressed, and malnourished. Northern settings also…

This paper presents a theoretical model for representing the teaching/learning triangle and offers an agenda for research and development in this area. The theoretical framework for considering the teaching/learning triangle is based on determining the characteristics of the teacher, student, and patient/client and the dynamic realtionships…

This report surveys nine different toys with "victim" characteristics which are designed for children of 4-5 years and older. The toys were on display in toy shops, department stores, and supermarkets. The toys included doll-like figures with disfigurations, mutilations, mental and physical disabilities, heads which fly off, and eyes which can be…

Literature that speculates about the future omits African-Americans. Racism and unemployment have caused this group to swell the ranks of the underclass. Thus, as a group, blacks have been written off as obsolete and useless. Most at risk for joining the underclass is the black male. Because of the way Western males are socialized to be strong and…

Eight nationally known deans (chief student affairs officers), all past presidents of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), collaborated on this book about the role and style of the dean of student affairs by drawing upon their experience and collective knowledge. In spite of different leadership styles, there are…

The Danforth Foundation Program for the Preparation of School Principals now being implemented at four American universities embodies two major emphases: (1) collaboration between universities and school systems and (2) experiential learning approaches. One important program aspect is mentoring relationships between candidates and experienced…

Research has shown that an active mentor can facilitate the career development of the neophyte. The hypothesis was tested that the failure of women to sponsor others, i.e., to assume a mentor role, is the logical outcome of situational pressures exerted on all persons who fill, and succeed in, a token role, rather than merely how women act when…

Twelve cooperating teachers rated superior by their peers, administrators, and university supervisors were asked to study current literature and reflect and decide upon what makes them so effective in being highly successful with student teachers. These teachers divided the qualities of superior cooperating teachers into two categories: qualities…

Sex role stereotyping still determines teacher expectations--thereby helping to determine what boys and girls do and learn. (JH)

Only recently have imitation researchers turned their attention to the effects on the model of being imitated by observers. This report outlines and reviews the findings of research in the developing paradigms. Four paradigms into the effects of being imitated are examined briefly: (1) operant strengthening paradigm; (2) classical conditioning…