A brief biographical account of the life of Elizabeth Byrne Ferm and her work in the Modern School Movement describes her early life; her educational training based on Froebel's ideas; and her development of "free" kindergartens, particularly at the Modern School at Stelton, New Jersey. (SAS)

The president of the American Association on Mental Retardation examines progress in four areas of mental retardation, for individuals with mental retardation, the nation, the Association, and all individuals. The four areas are choice, advocacy, supports, and equity. (DB)

Behavior in conflicts in 76 dyads of mothers and their 11-16-year-old adolescents was observed twice in a 2-year interval. In concordance with individuation theory, results found an increase across assessments in adolescents' autonomy. Results also revealed a decrease of connectedness with their mothers in younger adolescents and an increase of…

Suggests that the possibilities available to autonomy- oriented educators may be quite limited and fall far short of what they think them to be, discussing independence and autonomy, knowledge and autonomy, weak and strong autonomy, and autonomy and education, and concluding that the anti-perfectionist liberal policy is not committed to the…

Interviews and surveys of 272 Manitoba nursing students yielded 5 themes related to health promotion and tobacco use: identity, central beliefs/attitudes, learning the facts, limited practice options, and role conflict. Students expressed considerable uncertainty about individual autonomy, themselves as role models, and their use of health…

A commentary that refutes teachers' loss of control, autonomy, and professionalism in New Zealand is criticized, using evidence of rapid redefinition of the teaching profession in both New Zealand and Australia. In addition, the commentary is seen as dangerous if accepted by teachers, offering false hope and suppressing important issues.…

Examined attitudes of elderly acute-care hospital patients (N=264) concerning discharge planning. Respondents varied in their reactions to discharge planning and degree to which they exerted final control over decision. Perceived lack of control was associated with posthospital psychological distress for patients with high levels of internal locus…

Analyzes role that the family plays in the development of adolescent autonomy. Three family factors are analyzed in relation to the development of adolescent autonomy: parenting styles, family interaction, and transitions related to the family life cycle. (Author/NB)

The mentoring program for reentry women at Metropolitan State College in Denver is based on a cafeteria approach in which the student selects resources from multiple choices. A multifaceted course teaches women how to access career resources and choose mentors, placing them at the center of a web controlling the strands of their own progress. (SK)

A model for evaluating traumatically brain-injured adults' competency to consent to rehabilitative interventions is presented. Assessment foci are capacity to understand and reason. Judgments regarding competency should be based on best observed performance under optimal conditions in a rehabilitative context that promotes patient self…

Tested conceptual model of context, processes, and outcomes of joint marital decision making of married couples (N=188) which specified spouses' process variables as individual-level measures and partners' consensus as a couple construct. Found context factor of spouses' emotional interdependence influenced both partners' coerciveness and degree…

Developed and tested normative-resource model of parent-adolescent power dynamics in stepfamilies using White, middle-class, suburban family sample (N=87). Identified patterns of power relationships for both major and everyday decisions and normative or resource variables associated with either greater parental or greater adolescent power. Results…

An understanding of adult learning principles will enable staff developers to select the most appropriate learning environment for participants. The purpose and sample activities of formal, informal, or non-formal learning environments are presented. (JD)

Examined extent to which developmental theories of Erikson, Chickering, and Gilligan explain sex differences in autonomy and intimacy development in college students. Results from 441 college students suggest that both Gilligan's and Chickering's theories contribute to understanding of autonomy and intimacy development. Intimacy was strongest…

Narrative is essential to the study and teaching of morality. Acknowledgment of authorship of moral choices, actions, and feelings is central to the development of moral sensibility. Children's storytelling about their own experiences is an important approach to moral education. (SK)