Today's children enter classrooms with skills and expectations that challenge adults. Kids with superior keyboarding skills may resist penmanship lessons. Learning is a two-way process. Computer-literate kids should be encouraged to share skills with other students and teachers. Teachers should pass on acquired skills to students. (MLH)

Working together, schools and families can provide a character-based approach to sexuality education. Schools can give parents a wake-up call, provide historical perspective, share good news, encourage parents to talk with kids, help discuss dangers, identify rewards of waiting, give guidelines, and support chaste lifestyles. (Contains 21…

Too often, ideological debates, not scientific evidence and public-health concerns, influence decisions about sexuality education. Comprehensive, developmentally appropriate, and culturally sensitive sexuality education should be an important component of all grade levels. Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS)…

Five studies that measure abstinence-only programs' effects found no significant evidence that these programs help delay onset of intercourse. Evaluations of 30 abstinence-plus programs for sexuality and HIV education show these programs do not increase adolescent sexual intercourse. Common curriculum characteristics are outlined. (Contains 18…

In contrast to studies of abstinence-only programs, studies of abstinence-plus curricula indicate that students do not increase sexual activity. Parents, teachers, and administrators should evaluate all sexuality education programs according to three important criteria: credibility of training materials, curriculum content, and curriculum…

The distinguishing feature of today's youth is not technology, but aloneness. To reconnect with young people, educators should close the gap between school offerings and solitary net-surfing activities by offering computer gaming courses and guidance on approaching violent Internet imagery. Adult and youth cultures are interdependent. (Contains 11…

The author of "Reaching Up For Manhood" discusses troubling social/environmental conditions confronting boys. Raising better boys requires caring adults, safer risk-taking situations, positive reinforcement, and role models. Parents should monitor boys' media exposure, provide moral education, broaden their cultural and natural-world experiences,…

Despite their individual creativity and achievements, many girls confront common obstacles (like sexual harassment) and expectations that limit accomplishments. Nonetheless, girls get better grades than boys, score higher on certain test measures, and attend college in greater numbers. Their resilience and resistance to cultural norms are…

Overwhelmingly, today's teenagers expect to graduate from college and work as professionals. Some ambitious teens have no clear life plan to reach occupational goals. Others will not fulfill their dreams due to insufficient job openings. Parents and educators can help youngsters align ambitions with appropriate activities and coursework. (MLH)

Sports participation can help young people appreciate health, exercise, and fitness; learn about themselves and handling adversity; and experience teamwork and sportsmanship. The key to a good high-school sports program is not winning, but student improvement. Athletic participation and achievement should not determine kids' social status. (MLH)

Positive rites of passage are sorely lacking in today's society. In our culture, teenagers experience several passages: the major transformation at puberty, a challenging transition from middle to high school, and completion of high school. Two programs show how educators can guide students from adolescence to responsible adulthood. (MLH)

Students participating in Need in Deed's "My Voice" program perform community service while engaging in a self-discovery process. Exercises focus on what kids care about, what they would like to change, and five social issues they would like to study and report on to others. (MLH)

There are three types of Internet cheaters: unintentional, sneaky, and lazy. Plagiarism is not new, but Internet cheat sites allowing users to cut and paste papers easily from untraceable sources are widespread. Teachers should be aware of cheat sites, demand rewrites, assign unique topics, and teach source documentation. (MLH)

Gifted students, particularly nonathletes or introverts, may suffer feelings of alienation and isolation in school. Geeks and nerds do not hate people, but abhor a school culture that glorifies athletics. Lack of respect for bright nonconformists can lead to emotional problems and underachievement. (MLH)

A pumpkin decorating exercise gave California sixth-graders a chance to discuss a problematic school policy on gangs, using Pablo Freire's problem-posing method. Since the policy failed to understand student views, it officially sanctioned and promoted silence. Student journals revealed how gang activity was woven into their world. (MLH)