Youth who had dropped out of school (n=58) and their teachers (n=63) provided insight into key contextual factors that affect school dropout and general perceptions of school dropouts. Findings show significantly different perceptions between these groups about factors affecting school dropouts. (SLD)

Results of a study involving 74 learning-disabled or mentally retarded primary-grade students suggest that self-concept should weigh more heavily in decisions affecting students with disabilities. Self-concepts of these students were negatively correlated with the amount of time they spent in general classroom settings. (SLD)

Compared 103 students on global self-esteem and perceived life chances. Thirty-three were in a continuation high school, 20 participated in a mentoring program, and 50 were in a program for the academically gifted. The groups did not differ in global self-esteem, but students at the continuation school had lower scores for perceived life chances.…

Interviewed 420 street youths in a midwestern city to analyze their sexual behaviors. Ninety-one percent were sexually active, and nearly half were engaged in sex for survival. Discusses the need to coordinate comprehensive social services to prevent an increase in the number of street youth. (SLD)

Examined principals' attitudes about inclusive education, and determined steps principals followed as they implemented inclusion. Surveys indicated that in general, principals supported the notion of inclusion, though they had concerns about the benefits to students with disabilities, the impact on teachers in inclusive classrooms, and the impact…

Presents data on the percent of full-time public school teachers indicating the extent to which participation in professional development activities in various content areas improved their classroom teaching, by number of hours spent in professional development in that content area in the last 12 months (1998). (SM)

Surveyed elementary principals regarding their perceptions of inclusive education. Principals spent very little time planning for implementing inclusion. They reported that their teachers, staff, and parents had substantially different opinions about inclusion. They were disappointed in assistance received from resource personnel who should have…

Outlines an array of learning strategies for improving the academic performance of at-risk social studies students. Drawn from special education research, these strategies are directly applicable to at-risk students and focus on improving the acquisition, storage, and expression/demonstration of academic content. Suggestions for implementation of…

Longitudinally examined the effects of two linked at-risk programs (a middle school dropout prevention program and a high school transition program), focusing on attendance, promotion/retention, courses passed, discipline referrals, suspensions, sequence of services, the effects of passage of time following the intervention, and dropping out.…

Interviewed high school students to determine whether teachers used instructional strategies that students believed helped them master new materials, noting whether the match between learning style and instructional format differed depending on student gender and race/ethnicity. Male Latinos reported more mismatches between learning and teaching…

Discusses various methods used to teach Braille, beginning with pre-Braille skills that must be developed before children reach school age. Also discusses various techniques used to teach Braille skills to students who have a severe vision loss or low vision and reviews different commercial programs designed to teach Braille reading to various…

Surveyed 1,339 adolescent students from low-to-moderate income homes regarding three curricular issues in an urban high school. The diverse student population thought that the school should promote cultural understanding and make a commitment to society, and also to prepare students for work. Ethnic and gender differences were found. (MMU)

Studies youths' motivation for school attendance. Survey results suggest that the motivations for high school dropouts were consistent with those of nondropouts. Comparisons showed both groups to be comparable in terms of the relative influence of socialization, extracurricular activities, and pleasing an authority. (MMU)

Determines effects of computerized science tutoring on the self-esteem of at-risk urban high school students. Through a case study/structured interview dyad, ascertains students' perceptions of the use of this technology in schools. Results indicate students' self-esteem improved from pre- to posttest on the Self-Esteem Index. (MMU)

Discusses academic failure from the perspective of student denial and educator enabling and codependence. Denial is described as an interpersonal process requiring the participation of others. Educators are urged to consider how these components of the process interact in perpetuating school failure. (MMU)