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A survey was conducted of teachers' classroom management practices in the United States and Greece. The United States sample consisted of 149 teachers in Arizona, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The Greek sample consisted of 97 teachers in Athens and the surrounding area. The survey asked questions regarding teachers' use of important classroom management principles (e.g. rules, classroom management practices). Responses of the teachers in the two samples were remarkably similar which indicates that, overall, teachers are reporting the use of empirically validated classroom management procedures (e.g. rules, positive reinforcement) in relatively high frequencies. Results and implications are discussed in terms of the importance of cross-cultural research of this type.

The past 20 to 30 years has seen an increase in the time children and adolescents spend in structured activities outside of the regular school day. This has resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of free time children and youth have for leisure time activities. While much discussion has been given to this topic in the popular press, little systematic research has been conducted addressing this issue. The purpose of this study was to identify whether there is a relationship between the number of regularly scheduled activities in which adolescents are involved, the amount of time adolescents spend participating in these activities, and self-reports of anxiety, depression, and physical complaints. Results indicated that the greater the amount of time students reported participating in activities both at the time of the study and for the entire year, the higher their self-reported level of anxiety tended to be. Similar results were not observed for depression or somatization. (Contains 2 tables.)

There is a paucity of research examining the experiences and perceptions of women employed as school psychology academicians. The purpose of this investigation was to ascertain female school psychology academicians' perceptions of their respective academic climates, levels of support, incidences of harassment, and levels of stress. Comparisons between women currently working in psychology departments and those in colleges of education were of particular interest. A total of 128 female school psychology academicians (52% response rate) completed the 48-item survey entitled, "Women in School Psychology: Academia Questionnaire." The findings suggested that the majority of participants (61%) reported that climate differences did not exist. Additionally, the majority of participants were not dissatisfied with their experiences in academia. Although women perceived their respective academic climates as positive, areas of perceived gender disparity were identified. Results are discussed in terms of implications for recruitment and retention of women faculty in school psychology.

Shortages of school psychologists have been documented for many years with this deficiency extending not just to practitioners but to trainers as well. This article presents the results of a search to identify individuals employed in academic institutions and their graduating universities. Using an Internet search and mailings to doctoral degree-granting school psychology programs, 633 individuals were identified as having graduated from a school psychology program in the United States or Canada and being currently employed full-time in a faculty position in an institute of higher education. When graduating university was examined, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Texas at Austin were consistently the highest rated programs in terms of producing school psychology academics. Other findings indicated that APA-accredited programs produced the majority of individuals in academic positions and that women have outnumbered men in entering the professorate every year since 1987. Women also currently comprise 51% of the school psychology professorate. While these data should not be considered a measure of program quality, they do provide an objective rating of program success in preparing students for careers in academia.

The purpose of the present investigation was to extend the research related to the possible negative side effects of extrinsic reinforcement on children's compliant behavior, particularly the overjustification effect. Specifically, this study examined the effects of a token reinforcement procedure in a naturalistic environment (third grade classroom) on children's compliance with classroom rules. Three students exhibiting high compliance with classroom rules were selected. Results indicated that the introduction of a token reinforcement program contingent on the occurrence of rule compliance had no detrimental effect on their rule compliant behavior following the withdrawal of the token procedure (i.e., comparison of Baseline I and Baseline II). Thus, the overjustification effect was not supported.

The following article attempts to address the current shortage in school psychology faculty. Although little empirical evidence exists, the authors conclude that such a shortage exists. Possible explanations for the shortage and barriers to overcoming it are discussed. Preliminary data from a survey, which attempted to identify programs with a consistent track record in preparing students who enter academia, are presented. The article concludes with an examination of suggestions for improving the current situation. These suggestions are culled from two directors of successful school psychology programs and the authors' own experiences as trainers. (Contains 3 tables.)

Using the principles of mental health and behavioral consultation, combined with concepts from positive psychology, this paper generates a new preventative model of school consultation. This model has two steps: (1) the school psychologist aids the teacher in the development and use of his/her personal positive psychology (e.g., optimism, objective happiness, etc.); and (2) the teacher is then encouraged to utilize positive psychology in the classroom. In support of this model a brief overview of consultation, a discussion of primary prevention in the schools, and a description of positive psychology is presented. It is the authors' belief that teachers who are taught to develop their own personal positive psychology and practice positive psychology in the classroom will (a) provide a more reinforcing classroom environment which may prevent behavior problems from developing; (b) be more accepting of the use of the behavioral principles in the classroom; and (c) implement interventions with greater integrity.

The debate over the effects of the use of extrinsic reinforcement in classrooms, businesses, and societal settings has been occurring for over 30 years. Some theorists have cautioned against the use of reward, whereas others have found little, if any, detrimental effect. This article examines the debate with an emphasis on data-based findings. The extrinsic/intrinsic dichotomy is explored along with seminal studies in both the cognitive and behavioral literatures. The results from important meta-analytic studies are presented. From this review, it is concluded that little detrimental effect is found with the use of external reinforcement. Readers are given specific recommendations on the appropriate use of reinforcement programs in educational settings.

Emotional and behavioral problems of students in the classroom have been rated as a major concern for teachers, administrators, and the public (Hardman & Smith, 2003; Macciomei, 1999). Without effective behavior management, a positive and productive classroom environment is impossible to achieve. The most effective model for producing behavior change and preventing the development of maladaptive behavior is the behavioral model (Wielkiewicz, 1995). In addition, behavioral approaches have been found to be very effective in developing effective instructional strategies. However, resistance to the use of behavioral procedures in the classroom has come from a variety of sources and some individuals have been particularly harsh in their criticism of the use of positive reinforcement (e.g., Kohn, 1993). In spite of this, teachers continually request training in behavior and classroom management techniques (Maag, 1999, 2001).