This article reviews 49 studies describing the use of differential reinforcement procedures to reduce maladaptive responding of persons with severe or profound mental retardation. Reviewed were the differential reinforcement of (1) alternative behavior; (2) low rates of responding; (3) other behavior; and (4) incompatible behavior. Findings were…

Compared effectiveness with preschoolers (N=100) of two personal safety skills training approaches: feelings-based program, which instructs children to trust their feelings, and behavioral skills program, which focuses on behavior of others. Found both training approaches effective in enhancing children's knowledge and presentation skills;…

A program was implemented to teach 19 mothers of handicapped infants about infants' needs, how they affect learning, and how learning activities can be developed. As measured by Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment, the quality of home environment provided by parents appeared to increase after receiving the education program.…

Current Chapter 1 remedial and compensatory education programs may not be worth the substantial funds being poured into them. To address shortcomings, such programs should be upgraded, reconceptualized as educational (not funding) programs, and fully integrated into the total school program. Includes 14 references. (MLH)

Suggests a particular way to think about the issue of quality in training, an approach that relates quality to customer satisfaction. Distinguishes between training efforts that are good but not as complete as one would like and those that are second rate. (JOW)

Schools are experimenting with community service programs. Among these are service-based intervention programs for at-risk children and K-12 curricula of community service. Cites examples, the characteristics of effective programs, and proposed federal legislation. (MLF)

Predictors of premature withdrawal from a 12-week program of behavioral conditioning for childhood nocturnal enuresis were examined for 47 children (ages 5-14). The function containing number of previous techniques used, presence of child behavior problems, and parent tolerance of enuresis was a significant predictor of early termination of…

Discusses seven important criteria of successful infant/toddler child care programs. Criteria include: (1) positive interpersonal relationships; (2) a sound philosophical base; (3) clear delineation of policies and procedures; (4) good staff selection, planning, and development; (5) feedback to parents; (6) a strong support base; and (7)…

Provides review of substance abuse prevention programing over the past 20 years. Describes an empirically promising approach based on teaching assertiveness and decision-making skills and cites the results of a longitudinal evaluation of the assertiveness training component. Concludes with a description of the authors' current program in the…

Effective communities are well-educated about themselves, have a better understanding of public information, talk through public issues to generate shared knowledge, appreciate the difference between public opinion and public judgment, and believe in public leadership as the key to using public power to solve community problems. (SK)

Evaluated efficacy of bereavement program for widowed persons. Experimental participants (N=25) were treatment group members; controls (N=25) were on group waiting list. All subjects were pretested and posttested with Texas Revised Inventory of Grief. Results showed no significant differences between groups on posttest scores. Recovery from grief…

Notes that despite the frequent claims of the superiority of interdisciplinary teams over more usual care patterns, systematic studies of the effectiveness of geriatric interdisciplinary teams are rare. Illustrates the difficult conceptual and methodological problems encountered by investigators. Suggests future research directions. (Author/ABL)

Implementation of a centralized student advising service implemented at Emporia State University that provides intrusive advising appears to have improved student persistence by 8 percent, suggesting that the strategy might be useful in other institutions. (MSE)

Discusses the National Assessment of Vocational Education report that includes trend data on postsecondary academic and vocational students and the first systematic description of how states distribute Perkins Act funds. (JOW)

Examined effectiveness of relationship enhancement counseling groups for wife abusers by comparing recidivism rates of wife abusers (N=30) in pretrial diversion with rates for abusive husbands who refused treatment (N=30) or who were not referred for treatment (N=30). Treatment was associated with cessation of abuse for one year. (NB)