AbstractsEducation Research & Administration

This project examined the pilot program conducted during the spring, 1978 semester at Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, California, called the United Students ("US"). United Students was a student organization originally necessitated by the existence of identified racial isolation on campus. It was funded by a grant from the Los Angeles City School's General Fund and was conducted by graduate students of California State University, Northridge, Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling and Guidance. The project studied the use of T-groups, field trips, retreats and training in group dynamics and facilitation as tools for reducing racial isolation in an in-school setting. Data was gathered by observation, verbal reporting, and questionaires which profiled students' experiences and attitudes about their participation in United Sudents. Results of the data gathered indicated that changes were in a positive direction. The conclusion drawn from this project was that, at schools introducing integration, it may be of significant benefit to develop and implement a group-oriented service of this type.