Presents a case study that shows how computer technology, including educational computer games and searching the World Wide Web, helped a fourth-grade student with learning disabilities and behavior disorders begin to succeed academically and to interact with his peers. Finding students' own interests to base activities on is emphasized. (LRW)

Argues that the school community must create and adhere to policies and practices that respect and support positive peer relationships. Urges promoting a respect for diversity in terms of individuals, as well as providing opportunities for peer affiliation on activity-based and interest-based levels to promote pluralism. (SD)

Studied the longitudinal stability of measures of peer acceptance, social status, and social reputation and the role of children's ages relative to classmates during the transition from same-age kindergarten to mixed-age ungraded primary classes. Found that overall peer acceptance and aggressive social reputation were moderately stable. Half of…

We examined the effectiveness of the PATHS curriculum in a magnet elementary school serving a distressed urban area. Aspects of social-emotional competence were examined for second graders who had, and had not, received the PATHS intervention. The intervention groups differed, with the control group having lower social-emotional competence than…

The paper describes a study of deviant behavior among students attending a high school in Texas. All students in the study attended a sociology class taught by a very strict teacher whose rules of behavior conflicted with students' peer group behavior expectations. Participant observation of student behavior in class and interviews with individual…

THE PURPOSES OF THIS STUDY WERE (1) TO EXAMINE THE RELATIVE INFLUENCE UPON ADOLESCENTS OF PEERS AND FAMILIES, (2) TO COMPARE THESE INFLUENCES IN TWO SOCIETIES, THE UNITED STATES AND DENMARK, AND (3) TO DESCRIBE THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE AND OPERATION OF ADOLESCENT SUBCULTURES IN THE TWO SOCIETIES. DATA WERE COLLECTED ON ALL STUDENTS IN THREE AMERICAN…

Kindergarten and third-grade subjects (n=160) responded to videotape excerpts of children either with or without Down's Syndrome and with or without the label and description "mentally retarded." The subjects' affective evaluations, belief endorsements, and behavioral intentions were assessed, using the independent variables of grade, gender,…

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that examined four factors (academics, peer relationships, personal security, and family acceptance) as they related to the self-esteem of students with and without disabilities. The instrument used to measure these factors was the adapted Self-Esteem Inventory containing 58 questions. The survey was…

Presents a theoretical framework suggesting ways to design peer intervention programs and group existing programs. Suggests criteria for effective racial awareness programs, discussing examples of successful college prejudice activities. Notes diversity education efforts are most successful when based on a theoretical model that recognizes the…

Examined responses to rejection by four rejected junior high school boys in seventh and eighth grades through interviews and observations. Found high categorical stability for those who were rejected; most were unable to alter their status. Reported on one student who managed to change status through extraordinary responses, by negating the…

Examined the importance of students' academic performance levels and extracurricular activities as predictors of drug involvement relative to peer influence. Data were obtained from 2,229 randomly selected students in the 8th, 10th, and 12th grades from school districts in northeastern Ohio. At all grade levels, involvement in extracurricular…

This book for children (ages 8 to 14) and the accompanying teacher/parent guide present the story of two brothers, one of whom has a severe hearing impairment, who climb up Mt. Fuji in Japan. Information on the disability is presented subtly and incidentally to encourage the reader to relate more personally and foster a deeper level of acceptance…

A sample of 183 third through sixth grade students were administered the Revised Class Play (RCP). Seven years later, these children and their parents completed a questionnaire measuring the students' behavioral symptoms and social, athletic, and academic competence. The RCP scores were related to adolescent competence and psychopathology. (BC)

Discusses effects of peer relationships on preschoolers' social development. Peer acceptance is important for successful social interaction and adjustment to school, whereas antisocial behavior is associated with rejection. Family interaction and experience are connected to peer acceptance. Suggests approaches that teachers may use to facilitate…

This curriculum is designed to allow students to recognize their own positive attributes and to respect the individual characteristics of others. The curriculum guide, designed for use in grades 4-8, offers a dynamic process approach to enhance cooperation and self-esteem in the inclusive classroom. It was formulated to challenge and empower…