Identity is a foundational element in a person's development and can influence all aspects of a person's life. Although research on adolescent identity development is a growing field, there are opportunities for additional research on this stage of development, with specific focus needed on the role of asynchronous development. This study utilized…

The Early College High School (ECHS) Initiative was created to increase college readiness and postsecondary degree completion by combining high school and college to smooth the transition from secondary to higher education. Outcomes for ECHSs include high rates of student educational progress and degree completion for graduates. While ECHSs are…

Educational outcomes remain highly unequal within and across nations. Students' mindsets--their beliefs about whether intellectual abilities can be developed--have been identified as a potential lever for making adolescents' academic outcomes more equitable. Recent research, however, suggests that intervention programs aimed at changing students'…

The paper is a cross-case analysis of identity development of youth throughout their first year attending two alternative high schools. Alternative schools fall in an interesting space of being able to provide innovative and supportive opportunities that are different from mainstream schooling, yet also alternative schools are part of a mechanism…

Four topics were investigated in this longitudinal person-centered study: (a) profiles of subjective task values and ability self-concepts of adolescents in the domain of mathematics, (b) the stability of and changes to the profiles of motivational beliefs from Grade 7 to 12, (c) the relation of changes to student-perceived classroom…

Recent research underscores the importance of the skills, beliefs and behaviors that support student achievement in the classroom and beyond. This set of intrapersonal and interpersonal assets (e.g. perseverance, grit, social skills, efficacy beliefs and mind-sets) are often referred to as noncognitive factors, as they are not measured directly by…

There is a steadily growing amount of research investigating the role of character strengths in peoples' lives. This research has helped to deepen the understanding of the relationships between character strengths and a good life in children, adolescents, and adults. In this article, the authors briefly summarize selected research results on the…

This study describes the learning and development experiences of teacher education students after taking an introductory course on adolescent psychology. The instructor adopted the developmental instruction model (DIM) (Knefelkamp, 1998) in this study and facilitated students learn through experiential learning. Fifteen students (aged between 20…

A sandtray group experience is a creative intervention that counselors may want to incorporate into their work with adolescents. This qualitative inquiry explored the experiences of adolescent females who participated in a sandtray group while attending an alternative school. The researchers identified five themes that emerged from the data: (a)…

Mentoring is widely advocated as an educational experience for academically talented students because mentors may provide stimulation for academic growth and serve as positive role models for students in areas of career interest. This study examined the experiences of 72 talented teenagers attending a university-based summer mentorship program.…

Evaluated an assertion training program for adolescents (N=23) in a middle-school setting. Results showed the group who received the training significantly improved their scores on the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale and the Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire. The control group showed no change in their scores. (JAC)

Presents observations on individual cases of inter-generational conflict in the framework of the self-image crisis (Wittenberg, 1968) and the struggle for identity formation. (Author/RK)

This article describes the special problems of gifted adolescent girls from the perspective of a ninth grade student. The article notes the impact of giftedness on peer relationships and family relationships, the positive and negative influences of various teachers, and the student's growing self-awareness. (JDD)

Describes the development of service learning in a special school for students with learning, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Discusses the poor self-image that many troubled youth possess and suggest ways to help students refocus on their good qualities through service work. Outlines service partnerships and a service culture. (RJM)

Investigates relationships between adolescents' perceptions of their parents' responsiveness and demandingness, locus-of-control orientation, and self-concept rating with students in eighth and ninth grades (N=198). Findings indicate authoritative style of parenting may contribute to development of self-adequacy by being associated with internal…