Most criticisms of American schools are too broad and are off-base. The first criterion in evaluating education should be its contribution to character formation. Students cannot cope with authority figures, rules, and routines; a school structure that teaches them to regulate themselves is needed. (PP)

An athlete needs to be taught to identify strengths and weaknesses, to concentrate for longer periods of time and regain lost concentration, to develop greater self-discipline and self control, and to deal with performance anxiety. Instructions are given for teaching relaxation methods to athletes, improving concentration, and setting realistic…

Studies in self-management, attribution, and achievement motivation challenge the view that basic skills instruction requires strong teacher control, structure, convergence on learning activities, less pupil freedom, and less experimental teaching activities. Student-managed instruction yielded the greatest achievement gains and heightened…

A treatment regimen demands extensive diagnostic work-ups. In most situations where a specific diagnostic finding does not occur, the appropriate treatment will be multitreatment. Drug treatment will continue to predominate, with research emphasis directed toward attempts to predict which children will respond positively to methylphenidate.…

Freshmen placed the greatest responsibility for their low grades on their own lack of motivation, improper study habits, and inattention to school work. Because of the predicted decline in the number of college-age youths in the 1980s, schools need to put more emphasis on retaining students. (Author)

Promotes the effort to amplify the concept of guidance to help children solve social problems. Defines guidance, traces the guidance tradition in early childhood education, examines the present trend toward guidance, explains what guidance is not, and illustrates key practices in classrooms where teachers use guidance. (Author)

Boston College Conflict Prevention Program techniques for relaxation and self-control were taught to middle-school students in two Boston schools. Preliminary results from teacher interviews revealed that students spontaneously used these methods to calm their "fight-or-flight" reactions in real conflicts. Results also indicated that…

Gifted students' perceptions of an internal or external locus of control (LOC) and the effect on their behavior is discussed. Research is reviewed that shows that gifted students who are proficient academically or in other areas believe they have an internal locus of control, while underachieving gifted students perceive an external LOC. (CR)

Sixteen impulsive hearing-impaired adolescents were trained to solve visual problems using a modified version of the "LOGO" computer language; subjects received concurrently presented self-instruction training while controls did not. On two dependent measures of impulsive problem-solving behaviors, treatment subjects demonstrated…

Operant and cognitive behavior modification procedures were used to decrease impulsive aggressive responding by six hyperaggressive children, aged 7-11, in interpersonal problem situations. The procedures sought to improve participants' alternative response repertoires and develop internal speech as a self-control mechanism. Compared to controls,…

This educational program for teaching self-control methods to second- and sixth-grade students incorporates learning, training, and practice of newly acquired knowledge on self-control at school, with homework assignments, and in the natural home environment. Young children can learn to use self-control methods for positive change. (LKS)

Self-monitoring is an important part of self-regulated learning. While researchers agree on the overt features of self-monitoring, its psychological dimensions are disputed. Faculty can help college students learn formal, systematic techniques by teaching it in four phases: baseline, structured, independent, and self-regulated self-monitoring. A…

An AIDS risk assessment and intervention targeted special needs adolescents. Students completed questionnaires, and health professionals provided risk reduction education and counseling. A classroom curriculum based on student knowledge was developed. Teachers considered the classroom curriculum effective in increasing knowledge levels and…

Responds to the article by Kevin Ryan appearing in this issue recommending moral values education in the schools. This paper recommends that moral education avoid indoctrination of students and that moral questioning occur in an atmosphere of open discussion of alternatives so students understand they do not have to choose between hard work and…

Assessed aspects of the adjustment of 233 secondary school students in Jamaica. Students reported satisfaction in seven areas: (1) impulse control; (2) emotional tone; (3) body image; (4) social relationships; (5) sexual attitudes; (6) mastery of the external world; and (7) superior adjustment. Students reported dissatisfaction in the dimensions…