The increasing numbers of independent scholars, individuals doing scholarly work outside academe, suggests three needs: a comprehensive study of this phenomenon, development of a means of communicating within and outside this group, and discussion of what independence means. (MSE)

A scale developed to aid in investigation of students' perceived control at school is described, and data on its reliability, validity, and factor structure are reported. Findings reported indicate the usefulness of the perceived control scale by summarizing data from several studies. (Author/LMO)

Explored the relationships between late adolescents' self-reported personal adjustment and individuation from their families of origin. Adolescents' perceived involvement in their family's patterns of fusion related significantly to self-esteem, mastery, college maladjustment, and the number of reported health problems. Involvement in the family…

This paper describes several issues college dropouts confront--including self-sustenance, autonomy, and escaping a fearful destiny--from a psychodynamic, social and developmental perspective. The implications for psychosocial theories of adult development are also discussed. (Author/LMO)

Teachers and principals have a lot of power, but the power of teachers is different as the students over which they have power are more vulnerable. Teachers should acknowledge their power and the opportunities they have been given to open doors for children. (MD)

John White argues that autonomy is an essential ingredient in anyone's well-being. He holds that for educators to attempt to develop a pupil's autonomy is not an arbitrary imposition in the same way as inculcating a Catholic or Communist way of life would be. Flaws in his argument are discussed. (RM)

White defends his position that educating a pupil for autonomy, where she is left with the option of autonomously choosing to become nonautonomous, is not an arbitrary imposition in the same way as inculcating a Catholic or Communist or Muslim way of life would be. (RM)

This brief report applies research on self-determination to suggestions for helping students with disabilities make a successful transition from school to adult life. First, it defines the concept of self-determination and considers how self-determination is learned. It summarizes research supporting the view that self-determination in high school…

The purpose of this study was to explore the benefits of cooperative learning in weblog networks, focusing particularly on learning outcomes in college writing curriculum integrated with computer-mediated learning tool-weblog. The first section addressed the advantages of using weblogs in cooperative learning structure on teaching and learning.…

This brochure summarizes content that is covered in the DO-IT 17-minute videotape, "Taking Charge: Stories of Success and Self-Determination." The document provides insights from successful young people and adults with disabilities associated with the DO-IT project. These insights are designed to help young people with disabilities learn to lead…

This paper discusses the political conflicts that may arise around person-centered planning for individuals with disabilities. It argues that person-centered planning offers a forum for dealing with contested questions in the lives of particular people and in the histories of particular organizations, communities, and states. These questions…

Multidimensionality of locus of control was measured among 740 American Indians, aged 17 to 81 (median age of 19), in five sites; four clusters emerged: personal control, race ideology, control ideology, and fate ideology. Control ideology accounted for the most internal responses, personal control for the most external responses. (MH)

Examined relationships between sex, sources of information, and three job-related variables: job autonomy, satisfaction with supervisor, and opportunities for advancement. Found that gender is not an important predictor of the variables; information sources account for the majority of the variance. (PD)

An attitude scale on sexuality and the handicapped was developed and field tested on 232 people in contact with mentally retarded persons. The results indicate that the scale was sensitive to differences in attitudes within and between groups and that sexuality training was effective in producing attitude change. (Author/SEW)

A study of 713 former special education students investigated the background characteristics associated with an elevated quality of life after leaving high school. Esteem, independence, and support were correlated with geo-economic, family, personal, and school program characteristics. Competency was found to be a primary quality-of-life factor.…