This book explores research on processes that influence family-school partnerships in support of student learning and education. It highlights research related to culture, contexts, and development as families and schools work together to promote smooth transitions and academic achievement. The volume discusses research related to family and…

This investigation examines child and teacher perceptions of teacher-child relationships among 157 children (M age = 6.1) who attended 12 full-day kindergarten classrooms in a large urban school district. Children and teachers completed comparable assessments designed to measure perceptions of social support from teachers and they also completed…

The effects of teacher practices in promoting student academic achievement, behavioral adjustment, and feelings of competence were investigated in a prospective study of 257 children in 14 first grade classrooms. Using hierarchical linear modeling and regression techniques, observed teaching practices in the fall were explored as predictors of…

General education classrooms provide a common milieu for understanding and appropriating results of classroom research projects, which are typically viewed as having little application outside their original contexts. Here, results of an investigation into the "sophomore slump," where grades and class attendance rates typically suffer, are…

This study explored the transition from preschool to kindergarten and identified factors that predict children's social and school adjustment in new school environments. (PCB)

From a sample of 304 college freshmen, 68.8 percent reported experiencing homesickness (57.5 percent of males and 75.4 percent of females). Approximately 41 percent were experiencing homesickness for the first time. Homesickness lasted more than 1 week for 2-thirds of the students and more than 8 weeks for 18.2 percent of them. (DB)

The kindergarten adjustment of 217 Caucasian children was measured in relation to their temperament and communicative competence. Both communicative competence and various dimensions of temperament accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in kindergarten adjustment among the children. (Author/BB)

Reports details of a study of teacher perceptions of children's adjustment to preschool. Indicates teacher perceptions that girls, morning class attenders, and children in multiethnic classes adjusted better to school than did boys, all-white British classes, and afternoon attenders. Identifies induction policies, group make-up, and teacher…

Describes "acting," a process of group resistance to teachers among low-income Hawaiian children that occurs at the beginning of the school year. Relates this process to the children's peer group norms and discusses ways in which classrooms can be adapted to the peer culture of Hawaiian children. (SKC)

Using discriminant analysis, a study examined (1) the extent to which the new Student Adjustment to College Questionnaire (SACQ) accurately predicts student departure for a private, comprehensive university (n=1,978 students); (2) SACQ items distinguishing nonpersisters; (3) use with an incoming class; and (4) evidence linking the SACQ with…

This study examined the attitudes and behaviors associated with leadership qualities in 73 freshman athletes at the University of Maryland, College Park. The Sport Leadership Behavior Inventory (SLBI), the Noncognitive Questionnaire (NCQ), and the New Student Census were administered to the athletes. The SLBI was chosen to provide a definition of…

Describes the chronic and acute subscales (SOMAC and SOMAA) of the Chinese Somatic Scale that was administered to 2150 Hong Kong secondary education students to measure their psychological well being. Results showed that both the SOMAC and SOMAA had acceptable reliability and validity status as compared with similar type tests. (GG)

Reports on a study of the effects on adjustment of three dimensions of support among 92 Chinese college students in Japan. Finds that the relationship between needed support and adjustment was strongly negative. Also finds that all support gaps were negatively related to adjustment. (CFR)

Academic and social performance of 204 high school students who had attended one-teacher rural elementary schools in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Montana was investigated to determine if small school students were disadvantaged in a larger high school setting. Data gathered by questionnaires from students, school administrators, and counselors…

A survey of 466 students in a large, urban commuter college investigated the relationship of student finances to academic persistence. Results suggest that financial aid (1) equalizes opportunities for students, thus decreasing attractiveness of alternatives, (2) facilitates academic and social integration, and (3) increases student commitment to…