Results of the five-year follow-up of 108 moderately to severely handicapped individuals who had graduated from a rural community-based job exploration and training program indicated that 61 percent were working competitively, 22 percent were living independently, and that earning disabled students were more likely to be self-sufficient than…

Maintains that teachers can help students achieve personal power (autonomy) through emphasis on real tasks that involve thinking. Illustrates how this may be incorporated into classroom practice through two teaching strategies: incorporating higher-order thinking tasks--comparing--into the school day; and inviting children to offer their ideas.…

Discusses job discretion (the degree of worker autonomy) and the American "work ethic" in a historical context and in regard to the current shift from a manufacturing economy to one based on information services and new technologies. (ML)

Points out adult behaviors likely to help children develop responsibility. Discussion focuses on the inadvisability of using reward and punishment, the importance of exchanging viewpoints with children and letting them make decisions, and the importance of beginning training for autonomy in the early years. (RH)

In a debate in the Forum section of the "TESOL Quarterly", Jones and Silva (1998) exchanged views about the merits and demerits of teacher-assigned themes and topics in tertiary-level EFL/ESL writing classes. However, much more remains to be explored. Should teachers assign the topics of papers, or even the content themes for the entire…

Discussion of the dynamics of individualized funding for providing services to people with developmental disabilities focuses on how individual funding may drive the changes necessary to develop services that offer highly customized assistance. This discussion considers why the concept of paying customers is powerful but misleading in light of…

This cross-cultural study tests a model of motivation on children's learning. Participating in the study are 805 Chinese students and 740 Canadian students. Students answered survey questions related to their perceptions of parents and teachers as well as their motivation orientations and the perceived level of control in learning; their homeroom…

Literacy is power--the power to improve one's life and shape one's community. All people should know how to read and write, yet 771 million people (18 percent of the world's population) are illiterate. The programs described in this booklet address this challenge. They are samples of a few of the many hundreds of excellent programs around the…

This issue of "Bill of Rights in Action" looks at individuals who have stood on principle against authority or popular opinion. The first article investigates John Adams and his defense of British soldiers at the Boston Massacre trials. The second article explores Archbishop Thomas Becket's fatal conflict with England's King Henry II.…

This research paper presents a learners' perspective on (the promotion of) learner autonomy and Self-Access Language Learning in an English Proficiency Program. It provides an evaluation of the success of these course elements as well as an interpretation of students' understanding of the related concepts. Finally, it identifies factors that…

As new communications media have developed, discussion of the definition of "distance education" (DE) has increased. The following defining features of DE have been proposed: geographically remote, two-way communication; use of one or more technical media; mass delivery; control of educational institution; and predominance of independent…

Describes a behavioral skills training model aimed at decreasing feelings of powerlessness often experienced by women. Feedback questionnaires suggest the training is effective in helping women attain their goals and use more direct forms of power. Cognitive change was a motivating factor. (JAC)

Conducted a longitudinal analysis of life satisfaction scores of retirement community residents (N=91). Results revealed some change but initial and retest life satisfaction scores were highly correlated. Self-perceived health and not being neglected by friends, were significant predictors of initial life satisfaction but not of changes in life…

The relationship between an affective teacher characteristic (a component of achievement motivation called success orientation) and changes in two affective outcomes of pupils (attitude toward learning and perceived personal control of one's own academic success and failure) was investigated. (Author/PN)

Describes interactional elements of the power of situations and presents a perspective on the instrumental use of friendships. Suggested methods for micropolitical counteraction include information illumination, independent thinking, stress innoculation, dilution of oppressive demeanor, and mental distancing. (JAC)