 | Key People
(See related pages)
Elliot Aronson
- I am a researcher in social psychology, including cognitive dissonance and interpersonal attraction.
- I conduct research on social influence, especially changing dysfunctional attitudes and behavior.
- I developed the concept of the jigsaw classroom.
- I believe working together toward common goals can reduce prejudice.
James Comer
- I believe that a holistic health orientation is crucial in educating youth.
- I created the School Development Program, which addresses social factors that negatively influence urban schools.
- I say the community approach is best for educating adolescents.
- Research on my Comer School Development program has been mixed, but it shows some benefits.
Jacquelynne Eccles
- I study the influence of schools on adolescent development.
- I believe there are ways we can make schooling less stressful for adolescents.
- I encourage allowing for support during times of transitions and increased participation in classroom decision making.
- I also study the effects of gender and social identity on human development.
Erik Erikson
- I developed a theory of psychosocial stages of development.
- I believe good teachers foster industry rather than inferiority.
- I say students should be gently pressured into academic achievement.
- I think teachers should recognize and support talents.
- I also think teachers should provide a positive environment.
Joyce Epstein
- I believe family-school programs can provide parents with the information necessary to ensure the health and safety of their children.
- I think parents and teachers should communicate about adolescents' academic options and progress.
- I say parents need to be more involved with their adolescents' schools and learning at home.
- I believe parents should be involved in schools' decision making process.
- I think schools should work with community organizations and businesses.
James Kauffman
- My area of specialty is education of children and adolescents with special needs, especially behavioral disorders.
- I believe that inclusion can be taken too far so that adolescents are not being served in the best environment for their individual needs.
- I think inclusion can lead to low expectations for students with disabilities, limiting their achievement.
Jonathan Kozol
- I described problems of adolescents in poverty.
- The book in which I describe the problems of poverty stricken adolescents is called Savage Inequalities.
- I made my observations in East St. Louis, Illinois.
- I found that 1/3 of the families in the area live on less than $7,500 per year.
- I also found inner city schools are grossly underfunded and do not provide an atmosphere conducive to learning.
John Ogbu
- I research education of minority individuals in urban settings.
- I believe that ethnic minority youth receive inferior educational opportunities.
- In particular, I study the effect of discrimination on educational achievement.
- I found social factors beyond discrimination have a large impact on the academic achievement of minority youth.
Ellen Winner
- I research the development of gifted youth.
- I believe giftedness can be defined as including precociousness, independence, and strong mastery orientation.
- I think that adolescents who are gifted too often end up socially isolated and under-challenged without the opportunity to be in advanced classes.
- I say we should raise the expectations for all students.
|
|