Provides an overview of empowerment philosophies and practices in business and educational settings. Role changes for empowerment are discussed, and resistance factors regarding empowerment are described for each setting. (four references) (LRW)

Presents a series of six career planning modules designed specifically to facilitate university students' concept of themselves as active agents in the career planning process. Focuses on one of the modules: Translating a Degree into an Occupation, which assists graduating liberal arts students to understand their potential in the world of work…

Technology cannot resolve instructional problems unless teachers are involved in the technology decision-making process. To be truly empowered, educators must perform curriculum, student, and community needs analyses; determine curricular objectives; develop district and school plans; provide cooperative teacher training prior to initiation; and…

A model for assessing the needs of the rural elderly based on the goal of empowerment is described and evaluated through a case study in Pennsylvania. Overall, the 63 community workers positively evaluated the needs assessment data derived through the model. Ways to enhance the model are discussed. (SLD)

Reviews the literature attesting to the strengths of African-American families and explores ways in which those strengths can be affirmed in the infrastructure of the family system. Explores a conceptualization of empowerment that involves rejecting a structural functionalist perspective in favor of a sociocultural framework. Discusses…

Would-be change agents must commit to a lifelong process of self-examination that allows them to distinguish between "self-selected" or "other-imposed" changes. Certain steps are helpful: identifying and speaking vision; empowering self and others; knowing one's values; recognizing personal and environmental enhancers and barriers to change; and…

The cycle of social breakdown, self-perpetuating stages of negative adjustment among older persons, can be halted by empowering people through prevention and wellness and by changing attitudes of the culture, care providers, and decision makers toward aging. (SK)

The Empowered School District Project is a three-year endeavor to facilitate the creation of empowered schools in nine school districts across the country. Discusses six themes that emerged in the change process: (1) framing; (2) process and content; (3) trust; (4) risk taking; (5) communication; and (6) critical mass and critical incident. (18…

Notes that all individuals experience the aging process and that many associate aging with negative changes and decline. Contends that counselors must develop interventions that have a positive impact on the aging experience. Examines transitions of midlife and late life and proposes empowerment as a counseling strategy to help individuals meet…

"Promised" by the Dawes Act of 1887, U.S. citizenship was finally granted to all Native Americans in 1924 and reaffirmed in 1940 as World War II and military service loomed. Nevertheless, six states prevented Indians from voting until the 1950s. Since then, Indian political participation and voting power have grown, particularly in some western…

Describes how the 1998 Multiculturalism and Diversity in Drama/Theatre Education: A Preconference came about, and briefly describes its activities and success. Offers ideas for future activities, and reminds readers of the critical necessity for action around issues of multiculturalism and diversity that transforms dreams into reality. (SR)

The Science/Technology/Society approach to teaching science has been researched and practiced for over 20 years. This model uses current issues in students' lives and society as the foundation of study. Teaching STS science requires nothing more than a shifting emphasis and willingness to empower students. (MLH)

Talk in U.S. classrooms often reveals student ignorance, but it also involves interpersonal exchange. British students' spoken opinions may be undervalued, but they are better writers and interact more often with teachers. American students may not value writing as necessary. Listening to students' voices may help bridge cultural limitations. (MLH)

This article describes the involvement of students with emotional and/or behavior disorders on effective student advisory boards. Examples are given of student advisory board input in elementary school conflict mediation and mentor programs, a middle school composure room program, and a high school in-school factory program. Stressed is the…

Study looked at the importance of early education and labor market careers for nest leaving and returning to the parental home. The data determined that employment means a high probability of nest leaving but less stability of independent living. The early career was more important for structuring women's nest leaving than men's nest leaving.…