Provides an overview of the educational theories of John Dewey and Homer Lane, then offers a fictional dialogue between the theorists to contrast their views on the question of whether students should be allowed to be personally responsible for deciding their own school curiculum. (DMM)

This study investigated the mastery-oriented and learned-helplessness response patterns of children (n=13) with visual impairments in grades 3 to 6 who were divided into two groups, low vision children who were visual learners and nonvisual learners. Subjects were given the Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire. No significant…

Describes three rhetorical strategies used by postmodern corporations to construct social realities and obscure individual causation and control: decentering, deindividuation, and distanciation. Shows that the postmodern corporation mediates and controls the reality of individuals; therefore it, and not its members, should be viewed as morally…

Thirty-six English children with cerebral palsy (ages 3-4) were compared on their skills for independence. Nineteen of the children were enrolled in a Conductive Education Program, and 17 were enrolled in special education programs. Results indicate there were no significant differences between the two groups in their independence skills.…

Examined an instructional program emphasizing African American history and culture to determine classroom experiences and the program's impact on academic motivation for the 18 African American male middle school students. Data provide mixed support for the relationships among autonomy, control, perceived competence, and intrinsic motivation…

A study that reviewed 113 transition articles, developed a candidate list of all support strategies, conducted a survey of 54 transition researchers, and corroborated multiple strategies that support students with disabilities in transition to adult life, including family and peer support, student choice and preference, and student…

Shift and stability of locus of control were examined in a sample of 84 adolescent students, using the Delta questionnaire. Data were analyzed using locus of control as the dependent variable. Independent variables were sex, type of locus of control, and school achievement. Overall findings indicate adolescence is a period of relative stability of…

Analyzed correlates of social problem solving in 63 2-parent families with a preadolescent. Structured interviews were held when child was about 9.5 years old, and again 2 years later. Found a substantial decline in the quality of family problem solving during preadolescence associated with changes in the participation and affective behavior of…

Findings from two studies investigating sources of variations in perceived control appraisals of parents involved in a family-centered early intervention/family support program are described. Results indicated that parent, family, and child characteristics were not related to differences in control appraisals. Practitioner help-giving styles and…

Discusses ethical issues surrounding health care for independent elders, those in long-term care, and those with cognitive impairments, as well as death, dying, euthanasia, and assisted suicide. Suggests that nurses should focus on older adults' choice, autonomy, and personal control. (SK)

Investigates parental intervention in sibling disputes to reveal how different developmental models inform us about the role of social conflict in early development. Examines predictions made by Piagetian, socialization, and conflict-mediation models regarding the role of adults in children's conflicts, as they are applied to a series of studies…

Developed a multifaceted definition of the intrapersonal component of empowerment, based on a review and synthesis of selected expository and empirical literature. Consisting of 20 dimensions, each with a standard definition of the construct, the model may be useful in facilitating discussions, developing training programs, and constructing…

Assessed Hong Kong tertiary students' readiness for learner autonomy in language learning by examining their views of their responsibilities and those of their teachers, their confidence in their ability to operate autonomously, and their assessment of their level of motivation to learn English. (Author/VWL)

This paper reviews teaching strategies that may facilitate independent performance on the part of preschool children with disabilities. Among these are environmental arrangements (schedules, staff assignment, room arrangement); antecedent prompts (instructions, time, task); peer-mediated interventions; and consequent events. (Author/DB)

A ninth-grade student with cerebral palsy began to exhibit behavior problems in the classroom, and his parents disagreed in their problem-solving approach. Family counseling helped the boy improve his behavior, and helped the parents to realize that their adolescent son was struggling with the issue of independence. (JDD)