Alex Molnar

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that throughout the country, at-risk adolescents regularly experience many varied behavioral problems in school, including low grades or proficiency scores, a high number of school absences, disciplinary infractions, grade retention and dropping out. In many cases, the writer notes that the continual experiences of economic pressure, unstable family relationships, and a negative environment, in conjunction with the stress and uncertainty of daily life responsibilities and expectations may be too overwhelming to handle. The writer maintains that an approach by Alex Molnar for changing behavior, that dates back to the 1980s, is a reversal of this negative paradigm - thinking that a student has a positive reason for his/her behavior. The writer claims that this is an old way of looking at an old problem in a new way. The writer concludes that what Molnar suggests for educators to do unfortunately goes contrary to standard human behavior--thinking the worst before the best. However, as shown many times, if these teachers are able to transpose their own thoughts and behaviors, they can greatly enhance the entire classroom ecosystem.

Outline:
Introduction
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Although problematic behavior by adolescents has long been a given at public schools in the United States, it was not until the end of the 19th century that cities began to face the issue and only early in the 20th century that an emphasis was placed on the emotional health needs of these troubled youths. Since then, this issue has received increasing prominence with the dissemination of numerous studies, models, and authoritative reports on how to work with children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral needs by educators and government."
"Studies began to research information about the causations of problem behavior, which was then incorporated into specific prevention and intervention programs. As they began to analyze similar problem areas, researchers recognized the common antecedents."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bost, L., & Riccomini, P. (2006) Effective instruction: An inconspicuous strategy for dropout prevention. Remedial and Special Education 27( 5), 301-311.
• Cillessen, A.N. (1998). Understanding the predictors of violent adolescent behavior. Society for the Advancement of Education. 130.
• Corville-Smith, J., Ryan, B. A., Adams, G. R., and Dalicandro, T. (1998). Distinguishing absentee students from regular attenders: The combined influence of personal, family, and school factors. Journal of Youth Adolesc. 27, 629-640.
• De Shazer, S. (1982). Patterns of brief family therapy. New York: Guilford Press.
• Dryfoos, J. (1998). Safe passage: Making it through adolescence in a risky society. New York: Oxford.

More papers on Alex Molnar:

• Term Paper # 144602 : "Resume of Alex Zara"
• Article Review # 148173 : "Alex Keegan's "The Short and the Long of It"
• Book Review # 18695 : " Alex Haley's "The Autobiography of Malcolm X"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: