Development of the mature person is a necessary theme for educational design in contemporary society. A structured definition of the term "maturity" is needed which can be applied to the design of educational experience. The author suggests that there are six criteria of maturity: intelligence, responsiblity, articulation, empathy, sexuality, and…

Several environmental constructs which influence identity are measured by the Erwin Identity Scale (EIS) and delineated. The EIS is an objectively scored instrument designed to measure the student development concept of identity based on the conceptualizations of Chickering and Erikson. Three sub-scales (confidence, sexual identity, and…

Perspectives concerning the application of adult development theory to the education of college students are presented in two papers. In "Adult Development: A Workable Vision for Higher Education," Arthur W. Chickering suggests that the major dimensions of adult development are essentially the same objectives pursued by the university, and that by…

During American colleges' current process of reexamining their commitment to fostering moral development in students, questions have arisen: What is the place of values education in higher education? Does the study of ethics improve moral character? Is it possible to teach values without indoctrinating students? What are the best methods for…

This report describes the work of the Study Methods Group, which uses qualitative research methodologies to determine how Open University students approach learning and why they adopt a particular approach. Research considers student orientation to learning, the relationship of learning outcomes to learning approach, and student development as…

A set of measures was developed to assess the quality of student effort in the utilization of the facilities and opportunities available in the college setting. The measures are based on the assumption that students are accountable for the amount, scope, and quality of effort they invest in using the available resources for their learning and…

The purpose of this research project was to identify potential dropouts among entering freshmen at Kingsborough Community College (KCC) and some of the characteristics that might be related to the decision to leave college prior to earning the associate degree. Results of a survey of the Fall 1978 incoming freshmen provided descriptive data…

Observations are offered on the curriculum of American higher education. It is noted that the curriculum is a major part of an institution's statement about itself, and the societal impact of higher education is likely to be determined more by the kind of people college graduates become than by what they know when they leave college. The…

Curriculum reform is the focus of this comprehensive handbook directed toward faculty, administrators, and students. A systems model for curriculum planning is proposed as well as an examination of four major areas: general and liberal education, area concentration, experiential learning, and calendar and degree programs. Within each area the book…

In order to directly relate research on children's thinking to curriculum development in the social studies, this study approximates the conditions and substances of daily classroom life and examines the levels of abstraction in children's thinking about complex social problems. The subjects include 210 boys and girls in equal numbers in grades…

The theoretical section of this paper briefly suggests why a period of drastic social change demands a curriculum which is more relevant to the concerns of students and presents an information processing model of man as the basis on which to develop such a curriculum. A rationale for teaching particular processes (rather than specific content) is…

The four-phase project, Toward Individualized Instruction, is a school-university partnership designed to meet the needs of physical educators for relevance during preservice teacher educators and individualized instructional programs. During phase one, students fulfill the following course requirements as they relate to their field base: (a)…

Data were obtained from surveying and testing 86 teachers and 979 trainable mentally handicapped (TMH) children. Results indicated that most teachers were married and had college degrees, but had only limited experience and no relationship outside the classroom with retarded children. Over a fourth were not certified. Most preferred to teach…

The purpose of this study was to compare the development of self-concept and achievement in reading of students in the first, third, and fifth year of attendance in graded and nongraded schools. The population of this study was composed of 338 selected students from six elementary schools in Kokomo, Indiana, and the experimental group was composed…

A student-centered environment in which the curriculum, methodology, and strategy focus on the student's immediate and ultimate goals and view the student as a total person who is developing within a real world is suggested. The student is discussed as to self-assessment; learning matrices; contractual learning; feedback, rewards, and evidence of…