Author: Ann Vander Stoep
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 0393709876
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 249
Book Description
Resources, checklists, instructions, and training materials for assessing student well-being. The transition to middle school is often fraught with emotional, social, and academic challenges for students. Often, teachers don't have the proper resources to identify students for whom this transition is becoming a problem. In this book, Ann Vander Stoep and Kelly Thompson provide teachers, counselors, and administrators with a complete package for implementing the "Emotional Health Checkup": a program designed to identify and help middle school students who are in need of additional emotional support. Readers will learn how to detect if a student's stress has shifted from a manageable level to an unhealthy "distress" level. They will then learn how to decide if the Emotional Health Checkup is a good fit for their school and how to get the school on board to implement the program. The book is an A-to-Z guide on how to implement the Emotional Health Checkup once the need and commitment have been confirmed. Information includes: how to engage parents and guardians in the process, carry out the logistics of classroom screening day, and develop individualized student support plans. Complete orientation and training manuals are provided.
Student Stress at the Transition to Middle School: An A-to-Z Guide for Implementing an Emotional Health Check-up
Author: Ann Vander Stoep
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 0393709876
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 249
Book Description
Resources, checklists, instructions, and training materials for assessing student well-being. The transition to middle school is often fraught with emotional, social, and academic challenges for students. Often, teachers don't have the proper resources to identify students for whom this transition is becoming a problem. In this book, Ann Vander Stoep and Kelly Thompson provide teachers, counselors, and administrators with a complete package for implementing the "Emotional Health Checkup": a program designed to identify and help middle school students who are in need of additional emotional support. Readers will learn how to detect if a student's stress has shifted from a manageable level to an unhealthy "distress" level. They will then learn how to decide if the Emotional Health Checkup is a good fit for their school and how to get the school on board to implement the program. The book is an A-to-Z guide on how to implement the Emotional Health Checkup once the need and commitment have been confirmed. Information includes: how to engage parents and guardians in the process, carry out the logistics of classroom screening day, and develop individualized student support plans. Complete orientation and training manuals are provided.
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 0393709876
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 249
Book Description
Resources, checklists, instructions, and training materials for assessing student well-being. The transition to middle school is often fraught with emotional, social, and academic challenges for students. Often, teachers don't have the proper resources to identify students for whom this transition is becoming a problem. In this book, Ann Vander Stoep and Kelly Thompson provide teachers, counselors, and administrators with a complete package for implementing the "Emotional Health Checkup": a program designed to identify and help middle school students who are in need of additional emotional support. Readers will learn how to detect if a student's stress has shifted from a manageable level to an unhealthy "distress" level. They will then learn how to decide if the Emotional Health Checkup is a good fit for their school and how to get the school on board to implement the program. The book is an A-to-Z guide on how to implement the Emotional Health Checkup once the need and commitment have been confirmed. Information includes: how to engage parents and guardians in the process, carry out the logistics of classroom screening day, and develop individualized student support plans. Complete orientation and training manuals are provided.
Student Stress at the Transition to Middle School
Author: Ann Vander Stoep
Publisher: National Geographic Books
ISBN: 0393709868
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Resources, checklists, instructions, and training materials for assessing student well-being. The transition to middle school is often fraught with emotional, social, and academic challenges for students. Often, teachers don't have the proper resources to identify students for whom this transition is becoming a problem. In this book, Ann Vander Stoep and Kelly Thompson provide teachers, counselors, and administrators with a complete package for implementing the "Emotional Health Checkup": a program designed to identify and help middle school students who are in need of additional emotional support. Readers will learn how to detect if a student's stress has shifted from a manageable level to an unhealthy "distress" level. They will then learn how to decide if the Emotional Health Checkup is a good fit for their school and how to get the school on board to implement the program. The book is an A-to-Z guide on how to implement the Emotional Health Checkup once the need and commitment have been confirmed. Information includes: how to engage parents and guardians in the process, carry out the logistics of classroom screening day, and develop individualized student support plans. Complete orientation and training manuals are provided.
Publisher: National Geographic Books
ISBN: 0393709868
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Resources, checklists, instructions, and training materials for assessing student well-being. The transition to middle school is often fraught with emotional, social, and academic challenges for students. Often, teachers don't have the proper resources to identify students for whom this transition is becoming a problem. In this book, Ann Vander Stoep and Kelly Thompson provide teachers, counselors, and administrators with a complete package for implementing the "Emotional Health Checkup": a program designed to identify and help middle school students who are in need of additional emotional support. Readers will learn how to detect if a student's stress has shifted from a manageable level to an unhealthy "distress" level. They will then learn how to decide if the Emotional Health Checkup is a good fit for their school and how to get the school on board to implement the program. The book is an A-to-Z guide on how to implement the Emotional Health Checkup once the need and commitment have been confirmed. Information includes: how to engage parents and guardians in the process, carry out the logistics of classroom screening day, and develop individualized student support plans. Complete orientation and training manuals are provided.
What Current Research Says to the Middle Level Practitioner
Author: Judith L. Irvin
Publisher: National Middle School Association
ISBN: 9781560901204
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 388
Book Description
This volume provides recent research findings on important topics related to the still-expanding middle school movement. They are divided into seven parts, addressing teaching/learning, curriculum, teacher education, social context, organization, leaderships, and issues and future directions. Following an introduction to middle level education research, by Irvin and Hough, the chapters are: (1) "Young Adolescent Development" (Eccles and Wigfield); (2) "Enhancing Self-Concept/Self-Esteem in Young Adolescents" (Lipka); (3) "Motivation and Middle School Students" (Anderman and Midgley); (4) "The Effects of Interdisciplinary Teaming on Teachers and Students" (Arhar); (5) "Teaching with Time on Your Side: Developing Long-Term Relationships in Schools" (McLaughlin and Doda); (6)"Middle Level Discipline and Young Adolescents: Making the Connection" (Bennett); (7) "Ability Grouping: Issues of Equity and Effectiveness" (Mills); (8) "Differing Perspectives, Common Ground: The Middle School and Gifted Education Relationship" (Rosselli); (9) "Inclusion" (Hines and Johnston); (10) "A Multifaceted Approach to Teaching Limited Proficiency Students" (VanNess and Platt); (11) "Assessment" (Stowell and McDaniel); (12) "Middle Level Competitive Sports Programs" (Swaim and McEwin); (13) "Middle Level Curriculum's Serendipitous History" (Toepfer); (14) "Effects of Integrative Curriculum and Instruction" (Vars); (15) "Curriculum for Whom?" (Brazee); (16) "Curriculum for What? The Search for Curriculum Purposes for Middle Level Students" (Beane); (17) "Current Issues and Research in Middle Level Curriculum: On Conversations, Semantics, and Roots" (Powell and Faircloth); (18) "Middle Level Teacher Preparation and Licensure" (McEwin and Dickinson); (19) "Multicultural Issues in Middle Level Teacher Education" (Hart); (20) "Improving Urban Schools: Developing the Talents of Students Placed at Risk" (Mac Iver and Plank); (21) "Service Learning and Young Adolescent Development: A Good Fit" (Schine); (22) "Home-School Partnerships: A Critical Link" (Brough); (23) "Organizational Trends and Practices in Middle Level Schools" (Valentine and Whitaker); (24) "A Bona Fide Middle School: Programs, Policy, Practice, and Grade Span Configurations" (Hough); (25) "Components of Effective Teams" (Trimble); (26) "Transition into and out of Middle School" (Mizelle and Mullins); (27) "Collaboration and Teacher Empowerment: Implications for School Leaders" (Clark and Clark); (28) "Women in Leadership Roles" (Clark and Clark); (29) "The Middle Level Principalship" (Valentine, Trimble, and Whitaker); and (30) "Setting a Research Agenda" (Hough and Irvin). Each chapter contains references. (HTH)
Publisher: National Middle School Association
ISBN: 9781560901204
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 388
Book Description
This volume provides recent research findings on important topics related to the still-expanding middle school movement. They are divided into seven parts, addressing teaching/learning, curriculum, teacher education, social context, organization, leaderships, and issues and future directions. Following an introduction to middle level education research, by Irvin and Hough, the chapters are: (1) "Young Adolescent Development" (Eccles and Wigfield); (2) "Enhancing Self-Concept/Self-Esteem in Young Adolescents" (Lipka); (3) "Motivation and Middle School Students" (Anderman and Midgley); (4) "The Effects of Interdisciplinary Teaming on Teachers and Students" (Arhar); (5) "Teaching with Time on Your Side: Developing Long-Term Relationships in Schools" (McLaughlin and Doda); (6)"Middle Level Discipline and Young Adolescents: Making the Connection" (Bennett); (7) "Ability Grouping: Issues of Equity and Effectiveness" (Mills); (8) "Differing Perspectives, Common Ground: The Middle School and Gifted Education Relationship" (Rosselli); (9) "Inclusion" (Hines and Johnston); (10) "A Multifaceted Approach to Teaching Limited Proficiency Students" (VanNess and Platt); (11) "Assessment" (Stowell and McDaniel); (12) "Middle Level Competitive Sports Programs" (Swaim and McEwin); (13) "Middle Level Curriculum's Serendipitous History" (Toepfer); (14) "Effects of Integrative Curriculum and Instruction" (Vars); (15) "Curriculum for Whom?" (Brazee); (16) "Curriculum for What? The Search for Curriculum Purposes for Middle Level Students" (Beane); (17) "Current Issues and Research in Middle Level Curriculum: On Conversations, Semantics, and Roots" (Powell and Faircloth); (18) "Middle Level Teacher Preparation and Licensure" (McEwin and Dickinson); (19) "Multicultural Issues in Middle Level Teacher Education" (Hart); (20) "Improving Urban Schools: Developing the Talents of Students Placed at Risk" (Mac Iver and Plank); (21) "Service Learning and Young Adolescent Development: A Good Fit" (Schine); (22) "Home-School Partnerships: A Critical Link" (Brough); (23) "Organizational Trends and Practices in Middle Level Schools" (Valentine and Whitaker); (24) "A Bona Fide Middle School: Programs, Policy, Practice, and Grade Span Configurations" (Hough); (25) "Components of Effective Teams" (Trimble); (26) "Transition into and out of Middle School" (Mizelle and Mullins); (27) "Collaboration and Teacher Empowerment: Implications for School Leaders" (Clark and Clark); (28) "Women in Leadership Roles" (Clark and Clark); (29) "The Middle Level Principalship" (Valentine, Trimble, and Whitaker); and (30) "Setting a Research Agenda" (Hough and Irvin). Each chapter contains references. (HTH)
The Knowledge Gap
Author: Natalie Wexler
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0735213569
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 354
Book Description
“Essential reading for teachers, education administrators, and policymakers alike.” —STARRED Library Journal The untold story of the root cause of America's education crisis It was only after years within the education reform movement that Natalie Wexler stumbled across a hidden explanation for our country's frustrating lack of progress when it comes to providing every child with a quality education. The problem wasn't one of the usual scapegoats: lazy teachers, shoddy facilities, lack of accountability. It was something no one was talking about: the elementary school curriculum's intense focus on decontextualized reading comprehension "skills" at the expense of actual knowledge. In the tradition of Dale Russakoff's The Prize and Dana Goldstein's The Teacher Wars, Wexler brings together history, research, and compelling characters to pull back the curtain on this fundamental flaw in our education system--one that fellow reformers, journalists, and policymakers have long overlooked, and of which the general public, including many parents, remains unaware. But The Knowledge Gap isn't just a story of what schools have gotten so wrong--it also follows innovative educators who are in the process of shedding their deeply ingrained habits, and describes the rewards that have come along: students who are not only excited to learn but are also acquiring the knowledge and vocabulary that will enable them to succeed. If we truly want to fix our education system and unlock the potential of our neediest children, we have no choice but to pay attention.
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0735213569
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 354
Book Description
“Essential reading for teachers, education administrators, and policymakers alike.” —STARRED Library Journal The untold story of the root cause of America's education crisis It was only after years within the education reform movement that Natalie Wexler stumbled across a hidden explanation for our country's frustrating lack of progress when it comes to providing every child with a quality education. The problem wasn't one of the usual scapegoats: lazy teachers, shoddy facilities, lack of accountability. It was something no one was talking about: the elementary school curriculum's intense focus on decontextualized reading comprehension "skills" at the expense of actual knowledge. In the tradition of Dale Russakoff's The Prize and Dana Goldstein's The Teacher Wars, Wexler brings together history, research, and compelling characters to pull back the curtain on this fundamental flaw in our education system--one that fellow reformers, journalists, and policymakers have long overlooked, and of which the general public, including many parents, remains unaware. But The Knowledge Gap isn't just a story of what schools have gotten so wrong--it also follows innovative educators who are in the process of shedding their deeply ingrained habits, and describes the rewards that have come along: students who are not only excited to learn but are also acquiring the knowledge and vocabulary that will enable them to succeed. If we truly want to fix our education system and unlock the potential of our neediest children, we have no choice but to pay attention.
Overloaded and Underprepared
Author: Denise Pope
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119022444
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 262
Book Description
Praise for Overloaded and Underprepared “Parents, teachers, and administrators are all concerned that America’s kids are stressed out, checked out, or both—but many have no idea where to begin when it comes to solving the problem. That’s why the work of Challenge Success is so urgent. It has created a model for creating change in our schools that is based on research and solid foundational principles like communication, creativity, and compassion. If your community wants to build better schools and a brighter future, this book is the place to start.” —Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and A Whole New Mind “Challenge Success synthesizes the research on effective school practices and offers concrete tools and strategies that educators and parents can use immediately to make a difference in their communities. By focusing on the day-to-day necessities of a healthy schedule; an engaging, personalized, and rigorous curriculum; and a caring climate, this book is an invaluable resource for school leaders, teachers, parents, and students to help them design learning communities where every student feels a sense of belonging, purpose, and motivation to learn the skills necessary to succeed now and in the future.” —Linda Darling-Hammond, Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education, Stanford University “Finally, a book about education and student well-being that is both research-based and eminently readable. With all the worry about student stress and academic engagement, Pope, Brown and Miles gently remind us that there is much we already know about how to create better schools and healthier kids. Citing evidence-based ‘best practices’ gleaned from years of work with schools across the country, they show us what is not working, but more importantly, what we need to do to fix things. Filled with practical suggestions and exercises that can be implemented easily, as well as advice on how to approach long-term change, Overloaded and Underprepared is a clear and compelling roadmap for teachers, school administrators and parents who believe that we owe our children a better education.” —Madeline Levine, co-founder Challenge Success; author of The Price of Privilege and Teach Your Children Well “This new book from the leaders behind Challenge Success provides a thorough and balanced exploration of the structural challenges facing students, parents, educators, and administrators in our primary and secondary schools today. The authors’ unique approach of sharing proven strategies that enable students to thrive, while recognizing that the most effective solutions are tailored on a school-by-school basis, makes for a valuable handbook for anyone seeking to better understand the many complex dimensions at work in a successful learning environment.” —John J. DeGioia, President of Georgetown University
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119022444
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 262
Book Description
Praise for Overloaded and Underprepared “Parents, teachers, and administrators are all concerned that America’s kids are stressed out, checked out, or both—but many have no idea where to begin when it comes to solving the problem. That’s why the work of Challenge Success is so urgent. It has created a model for creating change in our schools that is based on research and solid foundational principles like communication, creativity, and compassion. If your community wants to build better schools and a brighter future, this book is the place to start.” —Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and A Whole New Mind “Challenge Success synthesizes the research on effective school practices and offers concrete tools and strategies that educators and parents can use immediately to make a difference in their communities. By focusing on the day-to-day necessities of a healthy schedule; an engaging, personalized, and rigorous curriculum; and a caring climate, this book is an invaluable resource for school leaders, teachers, parents, and students to help them design learning communities where every student feels a sense of belonging, purpose, and motivation to learn the skills necessary to succeed now and in the future.” —Linda Darling-Hammond, Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education, Stanford University “Finally, a book about education and student well-being that is both research-based and eminently readable. With all the worry about student stress and academic engagement, Pope, Brown and Miles gently remind us that there is much we already know about how to create better schools and healthier kids. Citing evidence-based ‘best practices’ gleaned from years of work with schools across the country, they show us what is not working, but more importantly, what we need to do to fix things. Filled with practical suggestions and exercises that can be implemented easily, as well as advice on how to approach long-term change, Overloaded and Underprepared is a clear and compelling roadmap for teachers, school administrators and parents who believe that we owe our children a better education.” —Madeline Levine, co-founder Challenge Success; author of The Price of Privilege and Teach Your Children Well “This new book from the leaders behind Challenge Success provides a thorough and balanced exploration of the structural challenges facing students, parents, educators, and administrators in our primary and secondary schools today. The authors’ unique approach of sharing proven strategies that enable students to thrive, while recognizing that the most effective solutions are tailored on a school-by-school basis, makes for a valuable handbook for anyone seeking to better understand the many complex dimensions at work in a successful learning environment.” —John J. DeGioia, President of Georgetown University
Shame-Proof Parenting
Author: Mercedes Samudio
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780998740614
Category : Child rearing
Languages : en
Pages : 209
Book Description
How do you know if you're doing this parenting thing right? In this book, you will learn how to communicate with your child, in a way you both feel understood and manage behaviors so that both of you feel respected. Create your Unique Parenting Manual so that you and your child can grow together.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780998740614
Category : Child rearing
Languages : en
Pages : 209
Book Description
How do you know if you're doing this parenting thing right? In this book, you will learn how to communicate with your child, in a way you both feel understood and manage behaviors so that both of you feel respected. Create your Unique Parenting Manual so that you and your child can grow together.
The SAGE Handbook for Research in Education
Author: Clifton F. Conrad
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 9781412906401
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 632
Book Description
Research is increasingly becoming more influential in the field of education and this Handbook brings together a range of top academic experts who represent diverse fields within and outside of education, as well as quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method approaches to provide an upto- date, advanced analysis of all relevant issues involved in educational research. The Handbook is written in lively, welcoming prose and central to the handbook is an intention to encourage and help researchers place ideas at the epicenter of inquiry. In addition explicit discussion of the fundamental challenges that researchers must consciously address throughout their inquiry are identified and solutions provided to help future researchers overcome similar obstacles.
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 9781412906401
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 632
Book Description
Research is increasingly becoming more influential in the field of education and this Handbook brings together a range of top academic experts who represent diverse fields within and outside of education, as well as quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method approaches to provide an upto- date, advanced analysis of all relevant issues involved in educational research. The Handbook is written in lively, welcoming prose and central to the handbook is an intention to encourage and help researchers place ideas at the epicenter of inquiry. In addition explicit discussion of the fundamental challenges that researchers must consciously address throughout their inquiry are identified and solutions provided to help future researchers overcome similar obstacles.
Understanding School Transition
Author: Jennifer Symonds
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317500849
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 231
Book Description
School transition is a life changing event for children - they are rarely faced with such a powerful set of personal and social changes. These underpin the immediate and longer term wellbeing of children, peer groups, teachers and schools. Understanding School Transition provides a most comprehensive, international review of this important area, complete with practical advice on what practitioners can do to support children’s wellbeing, motivation and achievement. Offering an accessible introduction to children’s psychology at transition, Understanding School Transition explores transition as a status passage, what we really mean by wellbeing, and the ways in which children adapt to new environments. Key chapters focus on: Understanding stress and anxiety Children’s hopes, fears and myths at transition Parents’ and teachers’ influence and role Children’s relationships with peers as they change schools Children’s personal and collective identities Motivation, engagement and achievement Supporting the most vulnerable children Crucially, it advises how you can help children through implementing transition interventions and evaluating their success in your own school. Illustrated by case studies of experiences in real schools, Understanding School Transition will be essential reading for all training and practising teachers, as well as transition and subject specialists, who want to better understand and influence what happens to children at this critical stage.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317500849
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 231
Book Description
School transition is a life changing event for children - they are rarely faced with such a powerful set of personal and social changes. These underpin the immediate and longer term wellbeing of children, peer groups, teachers and schools. Understanding School Transition provides a most comprehensive, international review of this important area, complete with practical advice on what practitioners can do to support children’s wellbeing, motivation and achievement. Offering an accessible introduction to children’s psychology at transition, Understanding School Transition explores transition as a status passage, what we really mean by wellbeing, and the ways in which children adapt to new environments. Key chapters focus on: Understanding stress and anxiety Children’s hopes, fears and myths at transition Parents’ and teachers’ influence and role Children’s relationships with peers as they change schools Children’s personal and collective identities Motivation, engagement and achievement Supporting the most vulnerable children Crucially, it advises how you can help children through implementing transition interventions and evaluating their success in your own school. Illustrated by case studies of experiences in real schools, Understanding School Transition will be essential reading for all training and practising teachers, as well as transition and subject specialists, who want to better understand and influence what happens to children at this critical stage.
Origins of Phobias and Anxiety Disorders
Author: Michelle G. Craske
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0080513409
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 313
Book Description
Origins of Phobias and Anxiety Disorders
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0080513409
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 313
Book Description
Origins of Phobias and Anxiety Disorders
Handbook of Child Psychopathology
Author: Thomas H. Ollendick
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 147571162X
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 551
Book Description
In our first edition of the Handbook in 1983, we noted that child psychopathology should no longer be viewed simply as a downward extension of adult psychopathology. Rather, we suggested that children must be viewed as children, not as miniature adults, and that a merger of clinical child psychology and developmental psychology must occur in order for this objective to be realized. Now, 6 years later, we are sufficiently encouraged to assert that this synthesis, at least on a conceptual level, is well under way. Yet much growth remains to be seen along practical lines. The real test of the synthesis of these two fields of study will be evidenced on the battlefield, that is, the front line of clinical practice. Just how integrated clinical child psychology and developmental psychology really are remains to be seen. Nonetheless, progress is well under way. Careful attention to developmental and other contextual issues guided us in our efforts to solicit contributors for this second edition. All the contributors are active researchers and clinicians in the area of child psychopathology, and all are keenly aware of the subtle nuances and special considera tions of clinical and developmental psychology as they relate to child behavior problems. In addition, all the contributors are empirically minded; as a result, the chapters are data-based and represent some ofthe most up-to-date knowledge currently available. However, as research-based knowledge is more abundant and conclusive in some topic areas than in others, the chapters vary in length and scope.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 147571162X
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 551
Book Description
In our first edition of the Handbook in 1983, we noted that child psychopathology should no longer be viewed simply as a downward extension of adult psychopathology. Rather, we suggested that children must be viewed as children, not as miniature adults, and that a merger of clinical child psychology and developmental psychology must occur in order for this objective to be realized. Now, 6 years later, we are sufficiently encouraged to assert that this synthesis, at least on a conceptual level, is well under way. Yet much growth remains to be seen along practical lines. The real test of the synthesis of these two fields of study will be evidenced on the battlefield, that is, the front line of clinical practice. Just how integrated clinical child psychology and developmental psychology really are remains to be seen. Nonetheless, progress is well under way. Careful attention to developmental and other contextual issues guided us in our efforts to solicit contributors for this second edition. All the contributors are active researchers and clinicians in the area of child psychopathology, and all are keenly aware of the subtle nuances and special considera tions of clinical and developmental psychology as they relate to child behavior problems. In addition, all the contributors are empirically minded; as a result, the chapters are data-based and represent some ofthe most up-to-date knowledge currently available. However, as research-based knowledge is more abundant and conclusive in some topic areas than in others, the chapters vary in length and scope.