The authors examine various excuses offered by teachers and administrators for educational mediocrity, such as "It's not my job.""We've always done it this way." and "There's not enough money." They then suggest a systematic approach to changing these negative attitudes and improving performance. (SJL)

Makes suggestions for volunteers in college fund-raising telethons who must respond to negative attitudes about making a donation. Specific situations are addressed, including unspecified objections, "I'm already giving,""I can't afford it," requests to be left alone, uncertainty, and objections because of a variety of other issues. Exact language…

Developed, implemented, and investigated course on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) to determine effectiveness of different teaching methods on increasing knowledge and decreasing negative attitudes toward AIDS and homosexuality. Results revealed that course participants (N=63) increased knowledge of AIDS and adopted more positive…

Hallie Preskill and Rosalie Torres (1999) describe mental models as a set of personal opinions, perceptions, and views of the world. Developed over time, such values, beliefs, assumptions, and knowledge guide people in their everyday lives and are thought of as "truths." Mental models are powerful because they frame and influence the way educators…

This study investigated factors that influence students not to enroll at the Springfield-Clark Joint Vocational School (JVS) and in vocational education at the feeder comprehensive high schools. A cluster sample of 357 nonvocational students was selected from junior English classes from the nine feeder schools and administered a questionnaire.…

A review of National Assessment of Educational Progress findings presents a picture of the reading attitudes of a large segment of the American population, and of the relationship between reading attitudes and reading performance. The findings show that a negative attitude toward reading exists, and that it increases with each year spent in…

Studies have estimated that nearly 20 percent of high school students are experiencing life problems which can be directly attributed to their use of mood-altering chemicals. Many of these life problems, including truancy, declining academic performance, behavior problems, and chemical use itself, directly affect the school system. Any school…

Thirty-seven sources, published from 1970 to 1979, which study male attitudes toward the changing role of women are documented. The findings are presented in nine sections which cover male socialization, the traditional male sex role, psychological conflicts, modern technology and the male sex role, male liberation, men in new professional roles,…

Influences upon attitudes towards aphasic children were studied when ordinary children (ages nine-14) were given explanations of, or had direct contact with, motoric aphasic children and explanations of their handicap. Attitudes of children exposed to daily contact were less negative and attitudes were more negative with decreasing age across…

Reviews research pertaining to the feelings professionals and peers have about learning disabled children, and factors important for consideration when attempting to modify these perceptions. Discusses planning strategies, modifying peer interactions, and parent attitudes and training. (Author/RC)

A three-year program to bring together third-grade students in a self-contained bilingual classroom and a mainstream classroom is described. The project was designed to reduce the isolation of the bilingual students and prejudice toward them shown by mainstream students. During the first year, gym and music classes were combined, students were…

A practicum was designed to employ multiple intervention techniques in an effort to improve the negative self-concept of sixth-grade black male students who were involved in rampant acts of verbal and physical aggression that disrupted the flow of class activities. Peer facilitator training was provided for the boys. Other components of the…

This study focused on preservice teacher' cognitions and preconceptions about teaching. It examined what and how student teachers thought about teaching as they began their experience, the relationship between their thinking about teaching and their teaching behaviors, and how their thinking about teaching changed over the course of the…

Competent listeners possess the knowledge and ability to listen, the positive attitudes and desire to listen, and the willingness to apply the ability and desire to listen. Having only one or two of these ingredients ensures ineffective listening. One common negative listening attitude is self-centeredness, as opposed to being other-oriented. The…