This thesis addresses the issue of cultural matching in the area of mentoring in youth and social services and examines, within the context of current and future racial relations, the potential messages that cultural matching may be communicating to youth. The beginning chapters historically trace juvenile delinquency and child-saving services and…

This volume tells the story of the concerned adults who have come forward to mentor disadvantaged urban youth, one-on-one, in cities across the country. It illustrates what middle-class volunteers can do to ameliorate the conditions of young people living in poverty. Mentoring can complement government efforts and contribute to the broader…

Some of the main issues surrounding the operation of mentoring programs for minority youth are outlined and illustrated through the example of the Male Youth Project, a church-based program in Washington, D.C. Screening, orienting, and rewarding mentors are aspects of program operation that are fundamental. Other issues include the youth to mentor…

Thirty postsecondary vocational technical instructors from five community colleges in Virginia were observed using the Flanders Interaction Analysis System for 30 minutes to detect their use of three of four behaviors determined to be enabling to learners. The additional enabling behavior of modeling was determined through 15 minutes of passive…

The deterioration of the American public education system is not related to current teacher and administrator commitment; rather, there is a philosophic confusion about what the educational system can and should do for pupils and about the role that school administrators should play within that system. The essential reform necessary today is the…

While investigations of the impact of parental factors on children's career choices have identified variables that appear predictive of career choice in males, variables which influence career choice in females are less well documented. This study used social learning theory as a framework for examining the impact of parental reinforcement,…

Some relevant issues concerning the mentoring of women and minorities in the realm of higher education are addressed, primarily focusing on the differences and problems that exist in assisting these two groups of professionals in achieving their career goals. The importance of mentoring and methods that can be used by a mentor in assisting the…

A school district's program coordinator designed and implemented a practicum study intended to provide intermediate grade teachers and students with problem-solving techniques and skills needed for success in a course in contemporary Canadian issues. Teachers' and students' problem-solving skills were assessed through reports based on…

The social and emotional development of learning disabled students needs to be addressed in education programming effort. Social skills, which are essential to academic as well as social success, can be taught through such methods as role playing, games, grouping, puppetry, behavior modification, and problem-solving exercises. In addition,…

Six severely mentally retarded students (ages 9-16) were paired with six nonhandicapped fourth- and fifth-graders (Group 1) who received training to act as tutors during outdoor recess. Six of their nonhandicapped friends (Group 2) received no training. Group 3 consisted of all other fourth- and fifth-graders who were also present during the…

This study examined the functions of structured modeling and mother-child play settings upon the development of pretend actions in young Down Syndrome children. Subjects were 30 pairs of Japanese children, with a developmental age range of 12-35 months, and their mothers. The children were individually administered five phases of premodeling,…

One approach to the development of writing skills at the upper high school level involves modeling, objectivity, revision, and editing. Modeling requires the teacher to reproduce one major writing assignment so that students can observe directly how the teacher attacks the assignment, completing it within the same time frame as they themselves…

This paper analyzes the literature on mentoring for adult and youth populations for the following purposes: (1) to apply issues and concerns found in the literature to mentoring programs for disadvantaged and tenacious youth; and (2) to establish assumptions and program principles beyond the considerations of the existing literature. Chapter I,…

Moderate amounts of self-disclosure and willingness to let others disclose are considered essential in moving from casual to lasting relationships. Self-disclosure, however, is a private behavior which is seldom observed directly. Television provides a unique opportunity for the observation of otherwise personal behaviors, and may affect viewers'…

This study attempted to determine whether simple, naturalistic procedures could be used to increase the rate of physically affectionate behaviors directed at stuffed toy animals and at peers in the play of 4- and 5-year-old children. Procedures were developed for scoring affection and aggression during group play. The context of reading a story…