Eighteen Venezuelan elementary school teachers, trained to provide constructive written feedback on their sixth grade students' mathematics homework, did so three times weekly for ten weeks. In addition to learning and attitude outcomes, aptitude-treatment interactions were examined among treatments and student ability, attitude, and sex.…

The thesis is presented that a "family compromise" and "family members' definitions of the situation" refer to different phenomena, and that in some families, there is a great discrepancy between the beliefs of individual family members and that which has been called the "family mind." (Author)

Three profoundly retarded students (ages 6, 8, and 12) were taught prelanguage signalling behaviors (grasping the experimenter's finger and tapping the back of one hand with the other) to initiate co-active imitation behaviors with an adult. (JW)

A systematic examination of the desired outcome of discipline is important before developing a discipline structure. Discipline goals should be based on: (1) appropriate developmental expectation; (2) societal expectations of the individual; and (3) a mechanism for helping youngsters formulate goals for their own behavior management. (JDD)

When a visually impaired 3-year-old with a tendency toward poking herself in the eye participated with four sighted peers in a reading program as part of the full day special education program, eye-poking behavior was eliminated and the subject was able to read 25 word cards. (CB)

Describes experiment to include children with health and behavior problems in a residential camp for economically disadvantaged children. Discusses special health care provisions and staff training. Presents four case studies of campers. Offers lessons learned from the experiment and plans for evaluation and followup. (LFL)

After a discussion of the responsibility of supervisor training and the requirements for change in supervisor behavior, 12 approaches to determining supervisor training needs are outlined. These include analyzing the supervisor's job, analyzing problems, asking the supervisors, asking their bosses, asking their subordinates, observing supervisory…

It is in small schools' interest to educate parents in behavioral management skills. Concepts taught should include positive reinforcement by shaping, charting, contingency contracting, reinforcing incompatible behavior, and time-out. Parents will need help in becoming more structured in parent/child interactions, aware of reinforcement habits,…

Experimentally increased positive social interactions between an isolate, White first grader and socially active, Indian first graders. The procedure involved three five-minute observation periods, and brief feedback. Results showed that the child's rate of positive social interaction increased and was maintained across a period of six months.…

Describes an evaluation of the added value of skills methods for preventing smoking with sixth-grade students from two schools. Skills conditions subjects learned problem-solving, self-instruction, and interpersonal communication methods. The article discusses the strengths, limits, and implications of the study for other smoking prevention…

Generated a list of power strategies or behavior alteration techniques (BATs) that elementary and secondary teachers perceive as effective in managing student behavior. Investigated their use and found that teachers rely primarily on reward-type BATs and frequently use the student's "audience" to effect change. (PD)

Describes a study comparing the way cognitive manipulations affected the emotional responses of preschool and elementary school children to a frightening film, i.e., telling children the presentation is not real, and role-taking. Emotional responses of 9- to 11-year-olds were modified by instructional sets while 3- to 5-year-olds' responses were…

In the last few decades, the field of dual diagnosis as applied to those with intellectual disabilities has boasted a monumental surge in assessment devices and treatment approaches. These relatively recent advances include those in the development of behavior modification principles and procedures that have had a dramatic impact on services for…

This four-page issue brief summarizes findings from Mathematica's evaluation of Teach For America. The researchers found that TFA teachers outperformed non-TFA teachers in the same schools in math and achieved the same results in reading. However, TFA teachers also reported greater challenges in managing their classrooms. TFA and non-TFA teachers…

Substance-abusing adolescents experiencing inadequate family structure and functioning will be at a serious disadvantage with regard to recovery. The family support network (FSN) intervention seeks to extend the focus of treatment beyond the world of the adolescent by engaging the family, a major system in his or her life. Designed to increase…