The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to examine the nature and causes of school discipline problems and school violence including an increase in the number of racial, cultural, and class hostility incidents; and (2) to offer remedies which might help alleviate disruptions to the learning process. Eight middle schools with a total of 3,212…

This sixth collection of research on middle schools is divided into three sections. Section I comprises five research articles, each with a practitioner's reaction discussing the article's implications for practice and suggesting further research. The articles include "Perceptual Styles of Pupils in Grades 5 through 8," by Grover…

The study discussed in this report is intended to describe the operation of two of Dade County, Florida Public Schools programs to modify the behavior of its disruptive students, the Alternative School (excluding the COPE centers) program and the School Centers for Special Instruction. Additionally, data on the impact of the alternative school…

Secondary school teachers in the Houston Independent School District were asked for their perceptions of variables that contributed to difficulty of teaching. A 60-item questionnaire included variables from school environment categories: student characteristics, managerial efficiency, instructional program, material resources, teacher personal…

The document describes a project, conducted by Rutgers University under a Federal grant, to help New Jersey vocational teachers cope with student behavior. Called "traveling seminars," the one-day workshops aimed to improve student behavior by helping teachers and administrators better understand it. The objective was approached indirectly, by…

Summarizes results of a nationwide survey of teachers of pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade about their attitudes toward computers in the classroom. Topics addressed include the possible effects of computers on dropout rates, literacy, and discipline problems; student motivation and skill development; equity of access; curriculum and…

Comparison of 324 neglected children and adolescents and a matched nonmaltreated sample found that the neglected children had lower grades, more suspensions, more disciplinary referrals, and more grade repetitions, even when controlling for gender and socioeconomic status. Junior high appeared to be a particularly problematic time for neglected…

This is a report of a statewide study of kindergarten practices in North Carolina in 1988 which involved classroom observations (N=103 randomly selected classrooms) and questionnaires returned by 218 elementary school principals (an 86% response) and by 375 kindergarten teachers (an 81% response). Several questions were addressed by the study. (1)…

This is Part 2 of a final evaluation of a program to reduce destructive risk-taking behavior (e.g., drug-alcohol abuse and juvenile delinquency) in school-age youth. The program uses peer counseling in schools to develop self-esteem and better communication skills in students. Analysis of attitude tests is performed and factors affecting the…

Subtle forms of resistance found during ethnographic observation of 2 suburban high school English classes with 65 students are not found in a third class of 31 suburban high school students. The dialectical attitude of resistance and compliance is influenced by teaching approach and style of classroom interaction. (SLD)

In attempting to identify causes of the high rates of attrition of beginning teachers and possible solutions to their exodus, this study identified what beginning high school and middle school teachers in the Baltimore County Public School system found were their most urgent concerns and most valuable types of assistance. A questionnaire was sent…

This paper reviews the problems of antisocial student behavior in schools, tries to identify causes, and examines programs and procedures for remediating and preventing such behavior. This review focuses particularly on senior and junior high schools and all forms of antisocial, aggressive, disruptive behaviors that interfere with school…

A middle school English teacher suspected that her own personality and demeanor gave students permission to act out. Student surveys examined how her demeanor affected students and what rewards and punishments were appropriate. Results indicated that, though she was not sending mixed messages, her students desired consistent, meaningful classroom…

Culturally and linguistically diverse students with learning disorders (LD) and emotional or behavioral disorders (E/BD) have higher school dropout rates than their peers with and without disabilities. The primary purpose of this study was to determine how early potential dropouts could be identified. Research questions included the following: (a)…

The lack of student discipline continues to be a major concern among educators and the general public. A researcher-developed opinion survey concerning the frequency of, sources of, and interventions for student misbehavior was completed by a sample of 312 students and 106 teachers from four private American-type schools located in Caracas,…