Noting that the number of Samoan children in New Zealand receiving early childhood education in their heritage language has been increasing rapidly, this study examined the way the transition to primary school was organized for Aoga Amata (early childhood centers) children. Participating in the interview study were 39 parents, 14 teachers, 14…

In the present research we examined variations in the after-school experience of young adolescents as a function of family background characteristics and the extent to which after-school activities were associated with behavioral adjustment at school. After-school time use was assessed through telephone interviews with 438 young adolescents…

Noting that the kindergarten year is important in establishing competencies critical to children's success and achievement in school, and the lack of information on how children make the transition to kindergarten, this study examined differences in parental reports of children's adjustment behaviors for a large, nationally representative sample…

Part of a large-scale investigation into the nature and quality of living conditions and competence of 6- to 12-year-olds in the Flemish community and Brussels-Capital region of Belgium, this study compared the experiences of children attending school in a village with those of children attending school in a city. Participating were 1,798 children…

Addresses stress concerns especially related to counselors of minority students. The four articles of this special issue discuss the impact of the Atlanta child murders, stressful life events, Black student adjustment on a predominantly White campus, and helping school counselors deal with job stress. (JAC)

This study investigated the interactive effects on performance and motivation of four motivational aptitudes and two cognitive aptitudes with a choice versus no-choice treatment manipulation in grades 4-5. Three sets of simple regression results highlighted the differential effects of treatment on individuals versus classes. (Author/RL)

A study investigated individual and socioenvironmental predictors of adjustment to college in 29 students with disabilities. Results indicate problem-solving skills, social support from campus organizations and parents, and satisfaction with services for students with disabilities were each associated with higher reported levels of student…

Examined effects of early supportive parenting on children's school adjustment. Found that supportive parenting (maternal warmth, proactive teaching, inductive discipline, and positive involvement) predicted adjustment (behavior problems, social skills, and academic performance) in grade 6, even after controlling for kindergarten adjustment and…

Survey of 1,121 adolescent females, including 303 who reported being sexually assaulted, found that White females were twice as likely as Mexican Americans to have reported sexual assault. Compared to nonvictims, sexual assault victims reported more emotional distress, social isolation, and deviant behavior; poorer school adjustment; and greater…

A study of eight successive freshman cohorts at the University of South Carolina found that both participating in a freshman orientation seminar and living on campus reduced freshman dropout rates. Students who both participated in the seminar and lived on campus had the lowest dropout rate, whereas those who did neither had the highest dropout…

A study of 35 Latino college students in upstate New York found that various types of perceived support (from family, general peers, Latino peers, faculty, and institution) mediated the relationship between ethnic identification and adjustment to college. Important differences emerged between Latino peer support and general peer support for…

Notes that the practice of delaying school entrance for summer-born children, especially boys, to give them some academic advantage, is not substantiated by sufficient research. Describes a subsequent study indicating higher achievement for children held-out than those entering school on time. Argues for more research and consideration of the…

Assessed Canadian young adolescents' peer relationships as students moved from grade 6 in small elementary schools to middle-level schools offering grades 7 to 12. Found that girls experienced greater instability in reciprocated friendships than boys. Found that girls, more so than boys, lost old friendships and formed new friendships with…

Presents one teacher's experience with a student with minimal cerebral palsy in an open classroom from kindergarten to the third grade. Addresses questions that arose concerning ways to help a child with special needs in the classroom. (BB)

A research project using a non-random sample of seven high schools within metropolitan Melbourne during 1985-86 aimed to establish whether prejudice and discrimination were affecting the occupational socialization of senior students. Three sources of discrimination were hypothesized: curriculum, interactions between non-English-speaking and…