Our research evaluates the effectiveness of a community musical learning exchange (MLE) that included group singing, guided conversations, and reflection. The respondents (N = 290) who participated in the MLE included members of the Soweto Gospel Choir (n = 17), Soweto Gospel Choir Crew (n = 3), prison choir incarcerated singers (n = 41), prison…

We investigate whether the intervention designed by Kuhn and Udell (2003) to develop argument skills could be implemented productively among adolescent males in a residential juvenile detention facility--boys who were educationally disengaged and severely disadvantaged academically as well as socially. Compared to a control group from the same…

This study examined the effectiveness of a Positive Talk curriculum in promoting specific conversational social skills of nine incarcerated female adolescent juvenile delinquents. Sequential application of a multiple baseline across groups design demonstrated that the training was successful in promoting the participants' social skills.…

Used teleconferencing to provide three-week long community college course on personality development, values, self-concept, coping, and communication skills to 14 elderly nursing home residents. Five participants chosen to illustrate diverse responses to class all showed increased involvement with others, gains in integration of new dependencies…

Drawing from Public/Private Ventures (P/PV's) five years of hands-on experience designing and implementing Amachi programs around the country, "Building From The Ground Up" describes best practices for planning, developing and managing a mentoring-children-of-prisoners program. This guidebook is essential for learning the professional procedures,…

This evaluation of the pilot phase of "Skills for Work" courses demonstrates many strengths. The report includes many examples of innovative good practice, which HMIE will disseminate and promote through events and a range of media. It is particularly encouraging that almost all learners had a very positive experience and gained…