This paper discusses the development of the Basic Skills Model, a theoretical framework that has enabled North Carolina educators to propose to the Department of Public Instruction the development of a curriculum for high school juniors and seniors with disabilities. The curriculum is designed to enable students to gain the necessary skills to…

This paper presents the outcomes of a study that investigated the psychometric properties of the School Independence Measure (SIM), an assessment designed to evaluate functional performance in a school setting and to monitor changes in function over time. The SIM operationally defines and criterion references tasks essential to a child's…

Surveyed 186 college students to determine their views of the key indicators of having left home. Data suggested that the most important indicator of parent-adolescent separation was establishing more personal control. Economic independence and other modes of home leaving were rated similarly by males and females. (JAC)

William Rhodes reviews 1975 predictions about the future development of the mental health system, along with his current (1982) opinions about the predictions. (SEW)

The conditions that lead teachers to be more controlling versus more autonomy-oriented with students were examined. When responsibility for their students' performance was impressed upon teachers, they became more controlling. They talked more, were more critical, gave more commands and allowed less choice and autonomy. (Author/CM)

A study involving 593 students (ages 15-29) with deafness investigated the validity of a shortened version of the Transition Competence Battery for Deaf Adolescents and Young Adults (TCB). Overall results suggest that the "Mini" TCB is a viable assessment tool that can be used in transition assessment. (Author/CR)

This study characterized individual advocacy performance differences of 3 individuals with developmental disabilities and 21 parents before and after participating in training programs called Partners in Policymaking. A three group taxonomy of advocate development (beginner, involved, and activist) is suggested. (DB)

Three two-year-old boys with autism participated in a study comparing effects on time engaged when a toy was selected by either teacher or child. The data suggest the child-choice condition resulted in more engaged time for each participant and less problematic behaviors for two of the children. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)

A definition of mental retardation is presented to clarify perceptions of what should happen to persons with mental retardation after identification and program placement. The definition refers to the need for specific skill training and the development of independence. A rationale and six corollaries to the definition are discussed. (JDD)

A personal viewpoint on the many characteristics of instruction available through the foundations of education is offered. Through a combination of theory and practice, individual consciousness should be raised to an understanding of the forces that have created the existing society and determined an individual's place in that society. (JD)

Explored role of adolescent's perception of family environment and its relationship to underachievement. Normal ability underachievers and matched group of achievers completed Family Environment Scale. Identified four variables that distinguished between achievers and underachievers: moral-religious emphasis, achievement orientation, family…

A new model of service provision for college students with disabilities is proposed. The model focuses on the campus as an environment where all can be empowered to assist students in meeting their own disability-related needs. Suggestions for making the transition to such an environment are offered. (MSE)

This article describes amendments of the 1992 Rehabilitation Act Amendments which address choice and self-determination for people with disabilities. It also considers barriers within the vocational rehabilitation service system that prevent many individuals with severe disabilities from choosing integrated employment. (Author/DB)

Adults with mental retardation (n=392) involved in self-advocacy groups completed the Life Choices Survey. Findings indicated that this group indicated more choice opportunities than most adults with mental retardation and that total choice availability varied with level of disability and type of living arrangement but not by age or gender.…

Israeli adults (n=52) with intellectual disabilities who resided in community apartments were found to be more independent and to experience more choice-making opportunities than group home residents (n=68). The groups did not differ in age, gender, or level of intellectual disability, suggesting that the variation between groups is probably…