In a university setting, there is a great diversity in terms of socio-cultural, political, religious and racial backgrounds among students and lecturers. This diversity, with the presence of an appropriate lecturer-student relationship creates a campus environment that prepares students and lecturers to live and work amicably in a socio-culturally…

This article investigates issues of teacher authority and student initiations in a classroom-based social action curriculum project. A teacher (the first author of this article) and his fifth-grade, African-American students conceptualized, designed, and carried out a seven-month-long integrated curriculum and campaign to lobby for a sorely needed…

The military theme at Northeast Law, Public Service, and Military High School in Kansas City, Missouri, was evaluated during its second year of implementation (the 1990-91 school year). After a shaky start, the second year brought increased stability to the program. Program objectives were in place, and all military theme staff had been hired by…

This article discusses designing leadership lessons for students with mild disabilities and results of a study evaluating the effectiveness of leadership training of 12 adolescents with mild disabilities. After attending bimonthly leadership workshops, students developed their ability to manage interpersonal relationships and work cooperatively,…

Character education builds community by establishing a set of core values that match a school's ideals. Character-education proponents should inspire teachers to discuss ethics in their daily activities and model transformational/transactional leadership styles. Leaders must know their environment, formalize an infrastructure, involve others, and…

Focuses on adolescents constructing discourse about a book amongst themselves without the help or intrusion of a teacher/adult. Seeks to understand where that discourse may originate within the greater institutional and societal framework of the participants. Explores the limits personal engagement places on conversation which involves race,…

Since students possess intimate knowledge about their academic progress, they should be invited to participate in, or even lead, parent-teacher conferences. Interested middle schools should consider piloting their models, focus on the conference model process, have students identify personal goals, clearly define participants' roles, and evaluate…

Our examination of three schools demonstrates how students can be involved in school reform by giving input about problems, helping design the reform, and sharing implementation responsibilities with adult leaders. Their involvement affects both the reform--as students leave their fingerprints on it--and the students themselves, who show signs of…

This study conducted in four secondary schools across three years, provides an example of how stakeholder perceptions about school quality might be obtained and analyzed to aid in setting administrative objectives. The participating schools served predominantly Caucasian students in suburban and rural areas. Approximately 30% of students at these…

The Austin (Texas) Independent School District (AISD) received monies to combat drug and alcohol abuse on its campuses through the Drug-Free Schools and Communities (DFSC) Act of 1986. Each year, programs funded and services purchased with these funds have changed. In 1990-91 most of the DFSC monies were used for these projects: the Secondary…

Ways in which a college or university can support and enhance service learning pedagogy are explored, including practical strategies for curriculum design, faculty development, and administrative support. Illustrations are drawn from Loyola College of Maryland, whose program has five categories of initiative: a service-leadership track, a…

Theories of cognitive, racial identity, affective, psychological, and moral development can be helpful in designing college student leadership training programs. Course design must take a variety of learning styles into consideration so as many students as possible can successfully understand the material and integrate it into their leadership…

A discussion of college student leadership retreats looks at the factors that should be considered in planning a retreat. These include the physical environment of the site, establishment of norms and expectations for the group, and demographic and personal characteristics of the participants that are likely to affect group interaction. (MSE)

The Reaching Success through Involvement process requires influential adult school members and student leaders to form an improvement-minded community of learners. The process helps group leaders develop leadership and learning skills, create high-quality cultures, and promote other learning groups. A study of 17 participating schools showed…

The 10-day 1980 National Leadership Conference sponsored and administered by the American Youth Foundation, was held at Camp Miniwanca (Michigan) for 123 youth participants representing four cities (Indianapolis, Omaha, Kansas City, St. Louis). The theme was leadership (the leader as servant and guide who helps a group to achieve their ends,…