Within the context of current service learning legislation and litigation, a pilot study investigated effects of a service learning curriculum that was part of middle school advisory and science classes. Quantitative data indicated non-statistically significant growth in self-esteem and motivation. Student journals, essays, interviews, field…

Four 8th graders with learning disabilities were taught to recruit assistance from peers during cooperative learning activities in two general classrooms. Training consisted of modeling, role playing, corrective feedback, and praise. Recruitment training increased the productivity and accuracy with which the students completed their language arts…

Although a significant body of research addresses teachers' perceptions of student disruption, the views of African American teachers remain underrepresented. In particular, little is known about African American teachers' disciplinary practices with students of the same race. The purpose of the current study was to examine if and how the concept…

While actual, "objective" experiences with crime in school are very important, so too are "subjective" experiences with crime including cognitive perceptions of the likelihood of experiencing school crime and the emotionally-based fear of school crime. Moreover, objective and subjective experiences with crime (and the…

This study examined the prevalence of high potency (liquor, malt liquor, fortified wine) and other alcoholic beverage consumption (beer, wine/wine coolers) among adolescents, the impact of gender and ethnicity, and the risk and protective factors that predicted consumption. A confidential survey revealed that, among eighth grade students,…

This study provides an extensive test of Ogbu's oppositional culture theory that accounts for student maturation over time. Using data from the Maryland Adolescence Development In Context Study (MADICS), I test the proposition that blacks resist school more than whites, and that this difference grows with age. Analyses were conducted across 24…

A study examined students' achievement increases to determine whether improvement resulted from spending a longer amount of time on language arts. Subjects of the study were 149 freshmen who attended Northeast Dubois Middle and High Schools in Indiana. During the eighth grade, 77 of those students had one 45-minute language arts period in 1992 and…

The problem of school dropouts and at-risk students has many causes. No one cause can be seen clearly as the dominant factor in a child leaving school and the possibility of that student not finishing his high school career. This program addressed the problems of at-risk students with poor social and academic skills. The literature reviewed…

Graduate students (N=13) in a counselor education program in New York State participated in a study about what they thought were the main concerns of eighth grade students. A needs assessment is often a helpful method for counselors to plan and deliver services. The responses of the school counselor trainees were very different from the responses…

This document presents, in tabular form, results for the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examinations for grade 8, spring 2000 (the 1999-2000 school year). Results are presented for the state' s total eighth grade population eligible to be tested and for each school district and school in Wisconsin. Test results are reported for reading, language…

This study examined the ways in which eighth grade girls in an urban middle school constructed social identities through their experiences with literary texts. It focused on what sociocultural representations about female identity and gendered expectations emerged in the transactions in the literacy events these girls experienced in English class.…

Examined the relationship of race and rural/urban setting to physical, behavioral, psychosocial, and environmental factors associated with physical activity among eighth grade girls. More differences related to race than setting. Black girls were less active and more heavy than white girls. Enjoyment of physical education and family involvement in…

Researchers examined relationships between students' home language and academic achievement. National Education Longitudinal Study data indicated socioeconomic and social psychological variables explained the association of home language with academic performance for Mexican-Americans. For Asian Americans, speaking another language at home related…

Examined the impact of a standards-based instructional method, designed by the Center for Research on Education, Diversity & Excellence (CREDE), on the achievement of at-risk American Indian 8th graders studying mathematics. Results indicated that students instructed in a manner consistent with CREDE's standards had greater achievement than…

This article describes a writing activity that is employed after graded exams are handed back to students. Students are asked to reflect on their performance and to demonstrate understanding of mathematics related to the exam and/or unit of instruction. The article provides examples of student writing, scoring rubrics, and suggestions for…