Evaluated effects of two types of teacher-delivered encouragement on off-task behavior and academic performance for five first graders. Results indicated there was a consistent decline in off-task behavior for all participants, suggesting the treatment was effective. Found neither form of encouragement was consistently successful in improving…

Reviews youth employment and training programs since 1962. Concludes that successful programs share the following characteristics: (1) a focus on chronic unemployment; (2) comprehensive remedial programs and human services; (3) early intervention; and (4) connections to mainstream institutions. (FMW)

Generic acquired immune deficiency syndrome programs for health professionals frequently lack specificity and sensitivity. This paper summarizes literature on knowledge and attitudes across and within professional groups and presents research designed to provide direction for considering the circumstances under which health professionals profit…

Examined effects of a slide presentation prepared by an independent living center to members (N=135) of civic, fraternal, and human service organizations. Determined slide presentation appeared to significantly affect both attitudes toward people with disabilities and knowledge about the center's services. (Author/ABL)

Program evaluation as a methodology is discussed, and its application to government export promotion programs is examined. Because the variety of approaches to export program evaluation, resulting data are often of limited usefulness. A programmatic approach to program evaluation is proposed. (TJH)

Describes Texas Instruments' (TI) attempt to capture the key skills and personal characteristics of outstanding manufacturing supervisors in a competency model derived from research on high performers. The result was a one-day simulation and assessment center that looks and feels like a day on the shop floor. (JOW)

The survey of projects concerned with placing secondary students with mental handicaps into competitive employment studied 24 matched pairs of successfully/unsuccessfully employed students. Results showed that successful programs were characterized by team effort, employer support, employment supervision, and a sensitive match of student and job.…

Examined effects of parenting courses (Parent Effectiveness Training or Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) on family relationships in 31 married couples. Found courses were generally seen as beneficial; revealed no perceived differences in the two courses. (Author/ABL)

Lists several premises concerning drug education and prevention which form the basis for Skills for Growing, a Quest International program targeted at students in kindergarten through grade five. Program goals are listed, external and internal conditions envisioned by Quest are discussed, and positive social behaviors and commitments which are…

A control-group, quasi-experimental study measured the effects of the Paideia Program on secondary students' critical thinking skills as measured on the Cornell Critical Thinking test. Findings reveal how shallow the knowledge base undergirding critical thinking is. (JOW)

Analysis of results of the program's 1986 matches do not support claims that results are biased to favor programs, with student success in receiving higher-ranked choices greater than hospital success. Factors affecting hospitals' and students' success in the match are analyzed and strategies for improvement are suggested. (Author/MSE)

Increased enrollment in professional programs and increased demands for limited resources have diminished advisors' ability to provide the services students demand. Student professional organizations have potential for assisting students and advisors in an over-enrolled program by recruiting professional mentors and providing information about…

A study showed that 80 percent of medical schools were collecting outcome data, but there was a lack of coherence, integrated analysis, and longitudinal study. The purpose of examining outcomes is to gain sharper focus on the achievement of institutional goals, facilitate program improvement, and assure competence of graduates. (Author/MLW)

Examined effectiveness of suicide awareness curriculum presented to 73 college undergraduates and assessed two methods of instruction: lectures plus handouts or handouts only. Univariate analyses demonstrated significant treatment effects for all dependent measures: Suicide Intervention Response Inventory, Knowledge of Suicide Test, Suicide…

Surveys the 17 "distinguishing characteristics" listed in the introduction of California's History-Social Science Framework (1988), and evaluates its strengths and weaknesses. Points out inconsistencies and argues that the arbitrary omission of some important items was unnecessary. (GEA)