The belief that schools can play a powerful role in preventing tobacco use among adolescents has led to the implementation of various tobacco-related polices and practices. This study examines the association between school policies regarding monitoring student behavior, severity of action taken for infraction of policies, and tobacco use by…

Background: The reported prevalence of bully-victims and aggressive/provocative victims varies quite considerably in previous research, and only a few studies have reported prevalence rates across grades. There is also a lack of detailed analyses of the extent to which victims are also bullies, and bullies are also victims. Aims: To study the…

Substance use by American young people has proven to be a rapidly-changing phenomenon, requiring frequent assessments and reassessments. Since the mid-1960s it has remained a major concern for the nation. Smoking, drinking, and illicit drug use are leading causes of morbidity and mortality, both during adolescence as well as later in life. How…

The annual event dropout rate describes the proportion of students who leave school each year without completing a high school program. The event dropout rates for the school year 2004-2005 of 1.68% for grades 7 through 12th and 2.40% for grades 9 through 12th are at the lowest levels in the past ten years. The event completion/graduation rate…

Between 8th and 10th grades, many students are asked to make curriculum-related decisions that may ultimately influence their achievement in core academic subjects such as mathematics. While past achievement often limits the level of courses available to a student, aspirations for postsecondary education ultimately determine the level of…

Fifteen grade 8 and 16 grade 10 U.S. history textbooks, all published in 1986, are reviewed. Eight criteria were used in evaluating the texts: (1) authority; (2) interpretation; (3) significance; (4) context; (5) representativeness; (6) perspective; (7) engagement; and (8) appropriateness. The results of the review show that most of the texts are…

This preliminary report presents information about the first of four components of an assessment of social studies conducted in Manitoba (Canada) in June, 1989. The assessment was conducted at grades 4, 8, and 10. The four major components included: (1) a written or "pencil-and-paper" test for all three grade levels; (2) a survey of…

This is the last of six volumes providing information drawn from a project designed to compile a substantial data base on reading errors for use by researchers and teachers. This volume contains transcriptions of oral reading error studies conducted with eighth, ninth, and tenth grade students. The transcriptions are organized according to grade…

GRADES OR AGES: Grades 6-12. SUBJECT MATTER: French language, literature, and civilization. ORGANIZATION AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: The guide is divided into seven sections, one for each grade. Each section is in list form. It is mimeographed and spiral bound with a paper cover. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES: Each section lists several general…

TWO METHODS OF RESPONSE DESCRIBED BY PIAGET AND INHELDER FOR DRAWING APPROPRIATE BOUNDARIES AND SELECTING APPROPRIATE PREDRAWN BOUNDARIES FOR HYPOTHETICALLY CUT, SOLID GEOMETRIC FIGURES WERE INVESTIGATED TO SEE WHETHER SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS COULD RESPOND IN APPROPRIATELY TO THE MATHEMATICAL TASKS. THE RESPONSES OF 8TH-, 10TH-, AND 12TH-GRADE…

The Empirical Curriculum is a descriptive account of the major features of change in student course-taking in postsecondary contexts between 1972 and 2000, with an emphasis on the period 1992-2000. To provide this account, it draws on three grade-cohort longitudinal studies that were designed and carried out by the National Center for Education…

The North Carolina State Board of Education, as part of the Quality Assurance Program, initially established a computer proficiency requirement for diplomas issued to the Class of 2000. In October of 1995, the Board modified the requirement by making it effective beginning with the graduating Class of 2001. Students who were in grade eight for the…

Sampled 1,004 eighth and tenth graders in 23 rural communities to examine peer influence and drug use. Students who perceived higher degree of drug use among friends and who received more information about drugs from friends used drugs more frequently. Findings support theory that peer pressure is related to drug abuse. (Author/NB)

Uses the concept of cross-pressures to predict frequency of adolescent alcohol, cigarette, and drug use. Eighth-, 10th-, and 12-grade respondents reported frequency of alcohol, cigarette, and drug use for 30 days prior to the survey. They also reported perceptions of friends' approval/disapproval of substance use, peer pressure to use, and their…

Examines how 8th and 10th grade student and parent attitudes and aspirations affected postsecondary attendance. Two-year and four-year students differed by socioeconomic status; educational aspirations; and concerns about college costs, reputations, and admission standards. Recommends early intervention to effect long-term systemic change in the…