Claims that too many authors of young adult fiction do not use females in the main character roles. Provides examples of novels which are written by women and focus on a girl's coming of age, without falling back on stereotypes. (MG)

Some of the strategies for overcoming obstacles to gender parity in organizations include consciousness-raising, mentoring, informal support, training, and role modeling. Evidence to support the use of these strategies based upon the past experiences of female graduate social work students was explored. (Author/MLW)

A survey determining the extent to which high school physical education teachers offered cardiorespiratory instruction found that more teachers than not regularly provided such instruction, with female teachers more likely to offer instruction than males. Physical fitness levels of the teachers did not appear to affect the amount of instruction…

If trustees and presidents see themselves merely as managers and apply only the measures of corporate success to their enterprise, higher education is doomed to fail. The most critical problem facing the nation is to bring the most disadvantaged children into the educational mainstream and keep them there. (Author/MLW)

Perfectionism is a compulsion that creates stress and suffering in children. Parents are given tips on how to help children deal with mistakes, develop judgment skills, and accept themselves. (IAH)

Teaching assistant supervisors accept responsibility or overseeing the work and professional development of one or more teaching assistants. The complexity of such responsibility, the teaching assistant supervisor role, understanding teaching assistants from a developmental perspective, etc. are discussed. (MLW)

White students can learn about racism without experiencing guilt that can overpower their desire to learn. Janet Helm's model of white racial identity is used as a framework for helping students abandon racism and define a positive white identity. (SM)

A study of 78 Asian American and 66 African American students in a predominantly white research university found that while most believed in the importance of a role model, many did not have one. Many also did not feel their role models had to be from their own race. No evidence was found of role model effect on academic performance. (Author/MSE)

The most important skill for the transformational leader is building relationships through positive and effective communication. Provides guidelines for supporting and encouraging group members, setting the tone for the group, modeling communication behaviors, use of voice patterns, active listening, reflective communication (paraphrasing),…

Discusses a mentoring model as a resource for lesbian and gay adolescents in foster care. The authors apply known successful program elements to the design of a model mentoring program for lesbian and gay adolescents. The program is meant to alleviate problems of isolation, stigmatization, and lack of positive lesbian and gay role models. (GR)

Female Mexican American high school students attended presentations by Hispanic female role models in business, academic, and professional careers. Although student questionnaires suggested high levels of career and educational aspirations and self-efficacy, focus-group comments indicated external locus of control and feelings of isolation and…

Presents a biographical sketch of Wanda Belgarde, a Native American (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) science teacher and mentor to minority teachers in Clark County School District, Nevada. Discusses her family, athletic and academic experiences in high school, exchange student experience to Norway during college, and multifaceted teaching experiences.…

Suggests that Benjamin Franklin's autobiography contains many useful messages for today's students. Discusses Franklin's list of virtues that he followed in an attempt at attaining moral perfection. Includes temperance, industry, justice, tranquillity, and humility. Describes the message of Franklin's lesson as one of achieving through effort…

A survey of 1,085 seventh and eleventh graders assessed the impact of parents, peers, siblings, advertising, and sponsorship as role models influencing attitudes toward smoking and smoking behavior. Results suggest that intervention programs need to address nicotine addiction and be in place before grade seven. (JOW)

To provide male role models (and help save the endangered African-American male), a Miami principal assigned 20 black kindergarten boys to an African-American male teacher and 23 black first grade boys to a white male teacher. Focusing on attendance, academic achievement, student partnerships, gentlemanly manners, and appropriate school behavior,…