According to the 26th annual Phi Delta Kappan/Gallup Poll, the growth of fighting/violence/gangs and poor discipline are the most serious problems facing today's schools. Parents rate their community schools highly but assign only passing grades to the nation's schools. Most favor character education and President Clinton's education initiatives…

The Johnstown (Pennsylvania) Middle School has adopted a simple, practical school bus discipline program that refers disruptive students to the bus-duty teacher to discuss the incident. The bus driver's written report activates the bus-rider training program, featuring temporary loss of riding privileges, a simulated bus ride, a safety video, a…

Describes an elementary school exercise in which students are assigned to write letters about their acts of misbehavior to persons involved in the incidents. Points out that such letters contain the elements of (1) a real, knowable audience; (2) internal motivation; and (3) a concern for clarity. Includes examples of student letters. (SG)

A discussion of the developmental path of the Black Studies movement focuses on its struggle for recognition as an independent and dynamic discipline, indicators of progress, and barriers to recognition. The evolution of Black Studies toward departmental status at Pennsylvania State University is chronicled. (MSE)

The relationship between second-language acquisition (SLA) and other disciplines is examined, beginning with a review of SLA studies and the broader field of applied linguistics and language pedagogy. It is argued that SLA must be recognized as a field important to linguistics, pedagogy, and psychology. (37 references) (Author/LB)

Discusses the internal and external challenges confronting traditional early childhood education in China and describes three types of early childhood programs (nurseries, kindergartens, and preprimary programs) in China. Discusses topics of curriculum, physical environment, typical daily schedules, teaching methods, guidance and discipline, and…

Argues that both the increased theoretical productivity in the field of communication as well as the increased confusion about theory are best explained by the influence of a third variable: a general transformation of the human sciences characterized by blurred genres. (SR)

Considers how the troubles affecting the field of communication are linked to the decline of modernism. Argues that the future of the field lies in exploring both microscopic and macroscopic social changes in a postmodern world. Proposes an agenda for this research. (SR)

Identifies five overarching values central to disciplinary disputes in communication, and how their relative importance changes depending on prevailing social, economic, and intellectual conditions. Explores discipline-level values in the 1980s, and how value structures are likely to shift in the 1990s. Proposes a value hierarchy for the future.…

Explores conceptions of leadership from the perspectives of practitioners and scholars and discusses the role of librarians in leading others to sources of knowledge for understanding leadership. Highlights include how leaders are selected, the relationship between leaders and followers, evaluating leadership quality, and leadership from the…

Assertive discipline can help teachers develop more consistent and effective communication strategies for influencing student behavior. Over a nine-week period, two teachers using assertive discipline reduced the off-task and disruptive behavior of a male kindergarten student by defining behavioral limits and providing positive and negative…

Positive behavior management has been recommended as a more acceptable form of classroom management than traditional behavioral modification. This paper discusses the application of stimulus and contingency control methods (positive behavior management) to elicit more socially and academically acceptable behavior from elementary school children.…

The extensive review reports on litigation affecting higher education in the areas of: state action; the first amendment; tort liability; institutional contracts; immunities; judicial neutrality; public access to records and meetings; funding; employment; adverse academic, disciplinary, and licensing decisions; discrimination against students; and…

Analyzes and critiques Ernest L. Boyer's book, "Scholarship Reconsidered," particularly regarding its implications for the field of communication instruction. Identifies the immediate impact of Boyer's book for the disciplines of communication. Outlines an agenda for communication disciplines based on Boyer's findings. (HB)

Using Total Quality Education principles, a Colorado middle school formed an action team to research discipline situation and develop a new system. Consequences for infractions now range from Saturday school to visiting local prisons and performing community service (to replace suspension). Program success is based on consistency, learning…