After observing students learning to work out differences in conflict-resolution classes, a supervising administrator at a Connecticut high school began using his office wall as a backdrop for large posters representing model conflict-resolution practices. Posters define conflict; address ways to handle anger; discuss win-win strategies,…

Frustrated by her ninth graders' misbehavior with a substitute teacher, a high school English teacher shelved her recriminations and engaged miscreants in a problem-solving exercise examining the incident. Establishing a protocol to talk about problems openly, without fear of retribution, made a big difference. Boys admitted to some poor choices;…

Discussion of the historical background of information science and documentation focuses on Paul Otlet and the creation of the International Institute of Bibliography which later became the FID (International Federation for Information and Documentation). Topics include systems and organizational arrangements, the monographic principle,…

Offers advice on dealing with parenting differences between divorced spouses. Provides three scenarios to support discussion of the importance of avoiding blame, letting go, and respecting alternate choices; anticipating the need for readjustment when children go from one home to the other; making a home for the child at both places; and…

Argues that a moralistic approach to plagiarism is not likely to make the problem disappear. New thinking about plagiarism and pedagogy must take its complexity into account, since plagiarism is not always the result of a willful desire to deceive, but may reflect a misunderstanding of the nature of work in the discipline. (SLD)

Gives an overview of the current socioliniguistic situation of the Sami language in Northern Scandinavia, focusing on the situation in North Norway in particular. Describes the historical development and discusses issues, problems, and practices relating to Sami language politics and planning in reaction to the use of this language in…

Draws and extends from earlier papers and articles the author has presented and conversations he has had with colleagues over a 30-year period of time. Explores factors that have contributed to the decline in speech and theater education. (SG)

Despite variety in the culture of the sciences, certain processes of knowledge construction are common throughout. Examination of how disciplinary identities are produced through rhetoric and how assessments of certainty and uncertainty are made across disciplines suggests that disciplines should not be regarded as fixed structures but as flexible…

Longitudinal study of changes in student discipline was conducted over 10 years by comparing results of 2 identical national surveys from 1977-78 (N=400 colleges and universities) and 1987-88 with nearly identical samples. Forty-two significant differences were found on 88 categorical items. (Author/NB)

Abusive, potentially abusive, and control group parents (N=62) were presented with vignettes describing a child with either mild or severe behavior problems and asked to rate the acceptability of four discipline procedures (positive reinforcement, timeout, timeout with spanking, and spanking). Overall, parents rated positive reinforcement as more…

Youthful prison inmates (N=170) with mental retardation were studied to evaluate adjustment to incarceration, based on the frequency of five disciplinary infractions: hygiene violations, noncompliance with authority, assault on an inmate, assault on a correctional officer, and attempted escape. Results showed that subjects demonstrated poor…

Finds that introductory students who wrote an essay supporting an empirical orientation toward psychology were more likely to conduct an experiment when given a choice of assignment, compared to a control group. Discusses implications for teaching students to view psychology as a science. (Author/NL)

Describes the development and implementation of Lee Canter's Assertive Discipline model, noting its use at Takoma Park (MD) Elementary School and the reaction of parents, students, and teachers. Supporters stress that it puts teachers in charge, rewarding good behavior and punishing bad, but critics call it dehumanizing, humiliating, and…

Defines strategic planning, outlines its key elements and activities, and summarizes the difficulties of applying a top-down, profit-driven process to education. Explains Strategic Planning for Educational Reform and Improvement (SPERI), a set of manageable, concise procedures for top school administrators. Describes SPERI applications in an…

Data is presented from a survey of 614 4-year institutions regarding departmental name changes in physical education, health, recreation, and dance. Emerging trends are discussed, and implications regarding the future of the profession are drawn. (IAH)