Self-esteem, well managed, is a powerful force for effective learning. Research has shown that good self-esteem is associated with analytical thinking, persistence, creative ability, social independence, stability and high expectations, and that the antecedents of positive self-esteem are found in parental models who provide firm guidance in the…

Very brief welcoming remarks (1) assert that true educational improvement takes place in the classroom, (2) provide examples of productive and nonproductive educational initiatives, and (3) challenge the Secretary of Education to eliminate unnecessary federal government intrusion into schools. (RH)

The paper describes approaches and findings of an evaluation of 10 advocacy projects providing services to developmentally disabled and mentally ill persons across the country. The projects included internal rights protection organizations, independent legal advocacy mechanisms, self-advocacy training centers, and legal advocacy providers in…

Acceptability of classroom interventions for behavior problems was assessed by having 180 preservice and student teachers read case studies involving intervention and then judged the intervention's acceptability by completing the Intervention Rating Profile, an assessment instrument designed to evaluate acceptability of an intervention in terms of…

Educational travel does more for students than merely show them the sights. It has the larger purpose of sensitizing them to other cultures by helping them to understand background of what they see. Mental growth and attitudinal change will be the result of a well-conceived and well-constructed travel itinerary. (Editor)

This briefing report presents preliminary results of a review of the effects of the 1980 foster care reforms. Particular attention was given to federal incentives for reform built into the requirements for the states' receipt of additional funds under the Child Welfare Services grants program. A total of 116 studies, reviews, and commentaries were…

The paper describes the planning, preparation and conduct of an academic treatment program for 120 adjudicated delinquents identified as learning disabled (LD). The remediation program, conducted in three locales, each representing a different demographic focus, was based on an academic treatment model incorporating elements of process training…

The report summarizes an evaluation of the effects of summer programs on the behaviors and skills of 186 severely handicapped children. Programs were categorized by their orientation and by their length, resulting in five groupings: (1) 6-week high structure (educational skill and behavior goal-oriented), (2) medium structure (mixed recreational…

This annotated bibliography on evaluation of sexuality education programs was compiled as a tool for sexuality educators interested in measuring the effectiveness of their programs or in learning what evaluations have been done in the field of sexuality education. Part I, Evaluation Methodology, lists 30 publications which deal with evaluative…

In 1986, the United States Department of Education contracted with Pelavin Associates to conduct a study of the dropout problem in the United States. The research project was undertaken to provide a national overview of the dropout problem, focusing specifically on gender differences; and to identify successful or effective strategies for serving…

In 1986, the United States Department of Education contracted with Pelavin Associates to conduct a study of the dropout problem in the United States. The research project was undertaken to provide a national overview of the dropout problem, focusing specifically on gender differences; and to identify successful or effective strategies for serving…

Research in the field of alcohol abuse evidences a long history of attempts to predict outcome from alcohol treatment programs using situational and intrapsychic factors. To investigate whether alcohol reinforcement expectancies are related to drinking behavior, 42 male veteran graduates of an inpatient alcohol treatment program were interviewed 1…

A case is made for maintaining teacher education at the undergraduate level. This paper outlines the core arguments used by contemporary proponents of extended teacher preparation programs, and identifies which of these arguments are recurrent themes from earlier rationales. The validity of the arguments is also assessed. Some of the hidden costs…

Two assumptions underlying preschool programs for high risk students are examined: the belief that measurement instruments are available for diagnosing children who will eventually require some form of special education and that intervention will be beneficial to the child. Diagnosis favors teacher interaction with the student in an instructional…

The major goals of the practicum with 12 severely language impaired elementary students were: to increase and enhance the students' low self-concepts, and to reduce absenteeism among the students. A 3-month self-concept guidance program for these students was developed and implemented. Specific guidance activities were conducted in three areas:…