Two perspectives on assessment for teacher certification are described: the competency orientation, and the professional orientation. These perspectives are used to discuss current problems, basically validity issues, in teacher assessment: (1) a professional orientation toward assessment; (2) criterion-referenced assessments; and (3) the unit of…

Cooperating teachers' ratings (using student rating forms) of teaching interns were studied, focusing on characteristics considered as strengths and qualities that make an intern outstanding. Results from cooperating teachers for 60 intern elementary school and secondary school teachers identified valued personal characteristics. Interpersonal…

A salary-growth model is presented as a practical solution to the problem of compensating teachers equitably. An empirical validation using data from 24,785 California teachers, 15,233 Ohio teachers, and 5,489 South Carolina teachers demonstrates the general applicability of the model. A scenario for model use is presented. (SLD)

Attempts to clarify the complex relationship between the identification of at-risk students and the ways educators try to retain them in school. Examines student problems from three different perspectives: the idiosyncratic, the sociocultural, and the institutional. Common student problems of learning, inappropriate behavior, depression, and…

Notes that the current emphasis on nonroutine problem-solving techniques causes mathematics teachers to confront anxiety in their students more than ever. Suggests that, by using methods from Transactional Analysis, caring teachers can expand their affective role in helping students with mathematics anxiety by showing them how to get past their…

Explores the historical development of mentoring and several current critical issues in mentoring: purpose and process, characteristics of mentors, the establishment and duration of mentoring relationships, and mentoring for women and minorities. Notes that personnel in academic settings need to consider these issues when implementing a mentoring…

Presents fantasized version of discussion among Carl Rogers, Victor Frankl, and Abraham Maslow led by Delbert Obertueffer. All statements in dialog are either direct quotes from their writings or phrases that express their basic philosophy. The hope is that by reviewing the writings of these great leaders, aspects to be applied to education today…

Surveyed 392 African-American and 1,173 white students in middle class, suburban high school. Compared to whites, African Americans reported drinking smaller quantities of alcohol less frequently, were more likely to be nondrinkers and to report never having been drunk; and were less likely to drive while drunk or to use alcohol for relief of…

Surveyed 526 on-campus college students about their reasons for drinking alcoholic beverages. Results indicated that students reported drinking because they liked the taste of alcohol and because drinking helped them celebrate special occasions. Negative or disintegrative reasons were endorsed rarely, and then usually by males, Greek organization…

Originally published in "Alcohol Health and Research World," this article is report of interview with Thomas D. Watts and Roosevelt Wright, Jr., conducted to explore solutions to complex problem of prevention of alcoholism among African Americans. Introduces readers to work of two experts in area of alcohol abuse and alcoholism among African…

Conducted study to assess nature and extent of alcohol consumption by college students and to make recommendation about university responses to alcohol use and abuse on campus. Students (n=247) completed questionnaires assessing various alcohol-related issues. Results were used to guide in planning and implementation of alcohol education,…

Considers dilemma of elementary school-aged children from alcoholic families. Contends that elementary school experiences can be pivotal for these students and that educators need to understand nature, scope, and implications of chemical dependency to help these children. Describes life in alcoholic household and discusses possible feelings and…

Examined factors related to alcohol and other drug use among over 2,000 fraternity and sorority members. Found similar bases for alcohol and other drug use, including acceptability of inebriation and high school pattern of drinking. There tended to be more drug use among students with lower physical tolerance for alcohol than among those with…

Examined drug use patterns among incarcerated African-American juvenile delinquents (n=248). Found that 90 percent of participants had used some illicit mood altering substance, between 30 percent and 46 percent reported daily use, and average age at initial use was approximately 12 years. Alcohol use tended to precede by about five months use of…

Natural Helpers program encourages prosocial peer support for coping with problems as early intervention and prevention strategy for reducing adolescent substance abuse. Examined relationship between wanting help with self-esteem and other adolescent problems, including substance abuse, as measured through Natural Helpers needs assessment process.…