Sketches the history of the controversy over the benefits of liberal arts education v training for the job market, touching upon educational elitism, accountability, and the value of a college education. Argues that neither vocational nor liberal education should be seen as an isolated end, but only as a part of the process of lifelong education.…

Investigates a prediction model of early withdrawal from school, using a sample of low socio-economic status (SES) boys (n=751), with emphasis on the role of peer-related variables. Reports that power of early disruptiveness and early academic performance predicted dropout; but the effects of these variables depended upon the dropout age. (CMK)

Three experiments examined 6- to 11-year-olds' judgments about appropriate self-descriptions in front of different audiences. Findings indicated that only older children differentiated between an unfamiliar peer and unfamiliar adult audience in selecting one of two self-descriptive statements. Even the youngest children differentiated between…

Reports a Louisiana study that investigated relationships between black high school students' academic achievement and their peers' and families' socioeconomic and social status. Test scores, school data, and student surveys indicated that family poverty status, family social status, and peers' family social status all influenced individual…

The study compared adolescents with mild mental retardation, learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, and no known handicaps using measures of sociometric status, social impact, and social preference. Not all students with mild handicaps were similar in social acceptance, rejection, and preference. Learning-disabled students were remarkably…

Discusses evidence for social stratification and aristocracy among northwestern California Indians, particularly the Yurok tribe. Examines the place of ritual and ceremony in the concept of aristocracy, the great houses, the role of great house priests, and the elaborate speech of the Yurok aristocracy. Contains 47 references. (DHP)

Examined children's social status, friendship, and adjustment. Found that peer relationships contributed uniquely to children's socioemotional adjustment, academic performance, and self-concept. Peer status also affected adjustment, with peer rejection and neglect being significant negative predictors. Effects of friendship appeared positive, with…

Analysis of data on 97 elementary students with and 97 without mild disabilities found that teachers' attitudes toward integration were not related to the social status of students with disabilities. However, teacher and peer perceptions of academic behavior and peer perceptions of disruptive behavior were related to social status for both student…

The wife of a semiskilled manual worker and mother of three young children reflects on her progress from part-time secretary to professor. She commends her experience to other women and concludes that the conflicts she has transcended have increased her worth as a teacher. (DM)

Suggests that the patron-client relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and intellectuals parallels the relationship between the state and scholars in imperial China. Describes privileges, prestige, and political and social control of university faculty and students; university admittance examinations; and national unified job placement…

A 1992 study examined responses from 478 intermediate grades students to determine the activities they prefer and their attitudes toward the role of sports in determining social status. Results showed that academic achievement rated below appearance (girls) and sports (boys) in determining personal popularity. (GLR)

This study, with 64 gifted students (grades 4-8) and 432 nongifted peers, found that, although gifted boys were the most popular group, gifted girls were the least popular. Gifted boys were perceived by peers to be physically attractive, less aggressive, more creative, and smarter than other children. (Author/DB)

Social status of learning-disabled (LD) elementary students served by the Integrated Classroom Model was compared to that of LD elementary students in a regular class with resource room support. Results suggest that, although both groups had lower social status than nondisabled peers, ICM students blended into the classroom better. (Author/PB)

This paper analyzes the relationship between athletic participation as a high school student and subsequent psychosocial development. Results show positive associations in terms of social background, cognitive ability, academic achievement, and level of self-esteem but no clear association concerning better adult development or coping with life…

Reports on three studies of playground fighting among elementary and middle school age students in Great Britain. Finds that the most common cause of fights were disputes over some aspect of a rule-governed game; teasing; retaliation to an accidental injury; and, to a lesser extent, disputes over space. (CFR)