Thomas W. Farmer

Associate Professor of Education
twf2@psu.edu

Education:

• Ph.D. (1993) Special Education University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

• M.A. (1989) Special Education University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

• B.A. (1983) Philosophy The College of William and Mary

About

Tom Farmer teaches courses in the etiology and characteristics of students with disabilities, practices and research issues in the education and treatment of students with behavioral disorders, and the social development of students with disabilities.

Research Interests

The prevention and treatment of aggression and antisocial behavior, social development of students with disabilities, bullying and classroom social dynamics, and rural education.

Recent Publications

Farmer, T.W., Estell, D.B., Hall, C.M., Pearl, R., Van Acker, R., & Rodkin, P.C. (in press). Interpersonal Competence Configurations, Behavior Problems, and Social Adjustment in Preadolescence. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders.

Farmer, T.W., Irvin, M.J., Sgammato, Dadisman, K., & Thompson, J. H. (in press). Interpersonal competence configurations in rural Appalachian fifth graders: Academic achievement and associated adjustment factors. Elementary School Journal.

Estell, D. B., Farmer, T. W., Pearl, R., Van Acker, R., & Rodkin, P. C. (2008).  Social status and aggressive and disruptive behavior in girls: Individual, group, and classroom influences. Journal of School Psychology, 46, 193-212.

Estell, D. B., Jones, M. H., Pearl, R. A., Van Acker, R., Farmer, T. W.,& Rodkin, P. R. (2008). Peer groups, popularity, and social preference: Trajectories of social functioning among students with and without learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 41, 5-14.

Estell, D. B., Farmer. T. W., & Cairns, B. D. (2007). Bullies and victims in rural African American youth: Individual characteristics and social network placement. Aggressive Behavior, 33, 145-159.

Estell, D. B., Farmer, T. W., Irvin, M. J., Thompson, J. H., Hutchins, B. C., & McDonough, E. M. (2007). Patterns of middle school adjustment and ninth grade adaptation of rural African American youth: Grades and substance use. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 36, 477-487.

Farmer, T.W. (2007). Studying the individual within the peer context: Are we on target? New Directions in Child and Adolescent Development, 118, 101-108.

Farmer, T.W. & Xie, H.L. (2007). Aggression and school social dynamics: The good, the bad, and the ordinary. Journal of School Psychology, 45, 461-478.  

Farmer, T. W., Farmer, E. M. Z., Estell, D. & Hutchins, B.C. (2007). The developmental dynamics of aggression and the prevention of school violence. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 15, 197-208.

Pearl, R., Leung, M-C., Van Acker, R., Farmer, T.W., & Rodkin, P.C. (2007). Teachers’ awareness of their classroom’s social network. Elementary School Journal, 108, 25-39.

Farmer, T. W., Dadisman, K., Latendresse, S. J., Thompson, J., Irvin, M. J., & Zhang, L. (2006, September 15). Educating out and giving back: Adults’ conceptions of successful outcomes of African American high school students from impoverished rural communities. Journal of Research in Rural Education, 21(10). Retrieved September 29, 2006 from http://www.umaine.edu/jrre/21-10.htm.

Farmer, T. W., Goforth, J. B., Hives, J., Aaron, A., Hunter, F. & Sgmatto, A. (2006). Competence enhancement behavior management. Preventing School Failure, 50, 39-44. 

Farmer, T. W., Irvin, M. J., Thompson, J. H., Hutchins, B. C., & Leung, M.-C. (2006). School adjustment and the academic success of rural African American early adolescents in the Deep South. Journal of Research in Rural Education, 21, 1 – 14.

Farmer, T.W., Leung, M-C., Banks, J.B., Schaefer, V., Andrews, B, & Murray, R.A. (2006). Adequate yearly progress in small rural schools and rural low-income schools. Rural Educator, 1-7. 

Rodkin, P. C., Farmer, T. W., Pearl, R., & Van Acker, R. (2006). They're cool: Social status and group support for aggressive boys and girls. Social Development, 15, 175-204.

Rodkin, P. C., Farmer, T. W., Van Acker, R. & Pearl, R. Thompson, J.H., & Fedora, P. (2006). Who do students with mild disabilities nominate as cool in inclusive general education classrooms? Journal of School Psychology, 44, 67-84.