The article examines issues related to establishing a rationale for the use of early childhood rating scales and to selecting a rating scale using such criteria as user needs, user friendliness, scale format, score interpretation, reliability, and validity. Methods of establishing the validity of a rating scale are suggested. (Author/DB)

Compared psychological functioning and behavior of 46 sexually abused girls (ages 6-14) with that of 46 nonabused girls matched on age, race, family income, and family constellation. Found that sexually abused children demonstrated heightened sexual preoccupation and behavior problems, lower cognitive abilities and school achievement, and more…

Comparison of the relative effectiveness of part versus whole teaching strategies for students (N=24) with moderate and severe mental retardation found positive (but not significant) effects favoring the part method. Students taught by the part method exhibited less excess behavior than did students taught by the whole method. (Author/DB)

Describes the life and contributions of Ben Cohn, a pioneer in the application of group counseling to acting-out underachieving adolescents. The article includes an interview with Cohn. (TE)

Teachers used a nonexclusionary time-out package emphasizing ongoing participation to treat inappropriate social behaviors in 4 classrooms of roughly 16 preschool children each. Behavior improved in terms of several measures including direct observation. Opinions of treatment acceptability from a survey of 210 lay people were also found to support…

This review defines contingency contracting and describes its theoretical basis, examines empirical studies using contingency contracts to improve various school-related behaviors, discusses potential advantages and problems, provides recommendations to assist school personnel in effectively using contingency contracts, and suggests areas in need…

This paper presents an outline of questions intended to help teachers analyze their classroom behavior management methods and styles. The questions focus on ways in which teachers can prevent negative behaviors, keep students on task, deal with developing behavior problems, and practice effective classroom management. (PB)

Comparison of 54 students with learning disabilities (LD) and 71 non-disabled students found the LD group demonstrated higher school anger levels, more negative behavior, less positive behavior, and lower motivation for on-task performance. Students who reported both high anger and high perceived control tended to exhibit the most negative…

Through conversations and classroom observation emerges a portrait of a teacher at a residential school for boys with severe emotional and behavioral problems. The account reveals the teacher's personal growth and professional development as well as the difficulties and dilemmas faced in the classroom, presenting teaching as an act of love.…

The study found that institutionalized mentally retarded persons were more likely to be maintained on neuroleptic drugs because of events (such as disturbing behavior, self stimulation, or physical aggression) perceived as significant and recorded by staff in clinical notes than for the reasons the drugs were prescribed initially. (Author/DB)

Comparison of results of using the Revised Behavior Problem Checklist to identify mild or highly deviant behavior in 95 children (grades 3 through 6) by two regular education teachers of each child indicated little agreement between teachers. (Author/DB)

Six behavior rating scales used with children with problematic behaviors were reviewed for psychometric soundness of reliability and validity. They are: Behavior Dimensions Rating Scale; Behavior Evaluation Scale; Child Behavior Checklist, Teacher Report Form; Devereux Elementary School Behavior Rating Scale; Revised Behavior Problem Checklist;…

A survey of 39 psychologists at a state school for mentally retarded persons assessed the prevalence of self-restraint, self-injurious behavior (SIB) and other maladaptive behaviors. Results indicated that almost all clients engaging in self-restraint also engaged in self-injurious behavior. (Author/DB)

Examined relationships between agitated behavior and past personality in 408 nursing home residents. Agitated and nonaggressive behaviors were correlated with past stressful events, and physically aggressive behavior was correlated with the lack thereof; no relationships were found between agitated behavior and history of a mental disorder or past…

Thirty-four elementary and 22 secondary teachers were assessed on teachers' expectations regarding students' behavior and the types of problems for which they require technical assistance. Results are analyzed in terms of differences between special and regular education teachers, and teacher dimensions of experience, demandingness,…