Positive youth development programs such as those offered by Boy Scouts of America (BSA) provide sources of support and opportunities for leadership and character development. Programmatic experts from BSA collaborated with researchers to develop a visual theory of change (pathway model) for youth development in Scouts BSA and for adult volunteer…

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the emotional intelligence (EI) of K-12 school principals with student outcomes that included: student achievement, student growth, and student attendance. The participants in this student included principals form various schools in the state of Tennessee. The data from this mixed method…

In the last decade, the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 has provided students with intellectual disabilities access to attend colleges across the United States. The researchers have collaborated with the Tennessee Inclusive Higher Education Alliance to investigate parents' perceptions of college programs in the state. The researchers…

In the last decade, the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 has provided students with intellectual disabilities access to attend colleges across the United States. The researchers have collaborated with the Tennessee Inclusive Higher Education Alliance to investigate parents' perceptions of college programs in the state. The researchers…

Even though equity has become a hot topic, the pathway to making it a reality has not necessarily become clear. The national agenda on race, racial equity, and dealing with COVID-19 has pushed the challenge of equity to the front and center for schools. This pressurized moment in history has raised important questions: (1) What are the steps to an…

Although research suggests an interplay between identity development and self-esteem, most studies focused on the role of identity commitment and measured only level of self-esteem. This study examined longitudinal associations between Berzonsky's (2011) styles of identity exploration and two distinct features of self-esteem: level of self-esteem…

A 20-year retrospective study, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and published in the July 2015 issue of the "American Journal of Public Health," suggests that kindergarten students who are more inclined to exhibit "social competence" traits--such as sharing, cooperating, or helping other kids--may be more likely to…

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing FFA members to continue their FFA experience beyond high school. Two focus groups were conducted, one for collegiate FFA members and one for past/current state officers. Participants provided several areas of improvement for collegiate and alumni FFA membership. Participants noted…

Having a purpose is a form of intrapersonal giftedness. An even rarer giftedness is motivation to positively change society or culture. This exploratory chi-square and ANOVA study reports the prevalence, age distribution, stability over time, and characteristics of two change oriented aims in American adolescents. In a sample of 270, 12%, who tend…

In July 2002, the Forum merged with Community IMPACT! USA, a national organization created to support a network of neighborhood-based affiliates dedicated to helping young people develop the skills, knowledge and connections needed to improve educational and economic opportunities in their neighborhoods. This issue of Forum Focus shares the story…

This paper reports on research that examined longitudinal data on students entering Tennessee Board of Regents institutions of higher education after the implementation of a state-mandated developmental studies program. The program identifies and helps at-risk students to persist in college to graduation. Data analysis is presented from a 1986…

An extension of Alan Tough's original research on adult learning activities, the study surveyed large populations in rural and urban Tennessee to analyze learning patterns of adults engaged in learning projects. Data were collected from random samples of 277 adults in Knoxville and 149 dwellings in Monroe County. Tough's interview technique, an…

This article presents an overview and analysis of the newly approved Tennessee early childhood teacher licensure standards. An introductory section provides background information on educational trends involved in efforts to revise state standards for licensing teachers. The general structure of the license is presented and four distinguishing…

This study of 528 Tennessee welfare recipients enrolled in regular community college vocational or technical programs examined academic background, personal characteristics, student attitudes, college experiences, and learning outcomes. These students were primarily single parents who received Aid to Families with Dependent Children benefits and…