Maternal views on the separateness and independence of their children were investigated through interviews with 60 Japanese and 60 Israeli mothers about their kindergarten children. Cultural differences between subjects living in Fukuoka (Japan) and Jerusalem (Israel) are discussed for their implications for the study of child development. (SLD)

A young man with severe to profound retardation was taught to use two different augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) aids. Although the participant learned to correctly request with both AAC devices, he later showed a strong preference for one device over the other. The value of multimodality and consideration of client preferences is…

Telephone interviews with 215 handicapped recent high school graduates or drop outs found that the areas of most concern to themselves and their parents included affective issues (e.g., poor self-esteem) and issues of vocational success and personal independence. Findings are discussed in relation to the educational intervention experienced in…

Describes young people of today as new subculture of youth that is more global and culturally independent than previous generations. Presents eight characteristics that are representative of students in focus groups conducted on college campuses. Suggests four areas in which changes might be made in college placement centers and recruiting…

This study found that a procedure involving choral responding and self-assessment accompanied by contingent praise may be an effective tool for teaching in-class transition skills to preschoolers with developmental delays. Active engagement sharply increased, with collateral decreases in competing behavior and levels of teacher prompting of target…

A survey of 518 service providers found high levels of knowledge and adherence to values of inclusion regarding the need to provide opportunities for engaging consumers with disabilities in community daily activities and rights for services. Employees had less knowledge of activities intended to provide opportunities to make choices. (Author/CR)

Analysis of questionnaires completed by 69 parents of children, birth to age 5, with disabilities or at risk for poor developmental outcomes found that parent and family characteristics showed no relationship to either help-giving practices or perceptions of personal control and self-efficacy. However, program characteristics were associated with…

"Depth interviews" reveal the development of autonomy to be a complex process characterized by a network of interrelated life experiences in multiple domains. Relational, personal, and educational events influence the pace and direction of developing autonomy. Six themes emerging from the data are discussed and related to developmental theories…

Describes how the Internet was used in an English class for architecture and construction students at the University of Granada (Spain). Discusses course organization; links to construction company Web sites; active learning; group work; student presentations; student autonomy and student motivation; and problems with plagiarism. (LRW)

Examines the effects of academic achievement in the 8th grade on the sense of personal control and self esteem in the 10th grade and the effects of personal control and self esteem in the 10th grade on academic achievement in the 12th grade. Presents and discusses the results. Includes references. (CMK)

A field test was conducted of a student-directed transition planning program designed to enable 53 high school students with mild mental retardation and learning disabilities to participate more meaningfully in their transition planning process. Following training, significant changes in students' scores on self-efficacy and outcome expectancy…

A study was done to identify the level of independent travel considered ideal by three older adults with visual impairments. Results found that the ideal level of functioning is different from that implicitly used in traditional orientation and mobility programs. (CR)

This article discusses how the "Piirto Pyramid" of talent development was used with gifted elementary students and students with disabilities in an inclusionary classroom to motivate students to work harder. Students clipped and posted articles from newspapers and magazines that typified an aspect of the pyramid. (Contains three references.) (CR)

A study to determine whether computer software could meet objectives of the Ministry of Education's (Quebec, Canada) secondary school plastic arts program found that SuperPaint enabled students to meet the objectives, fostered creativity, increased motivation, and increased learning autonomy. Recommends computers be used for project sketches…

A study of two classes of eighth-grade science students taught by the same teacher investigated student perceptions of learning environment, achievement levels, and conceptual understanding of research. Found relationships between autonomy and student-centeredness scales and post-testing. Features three student case studies, underscoring the…