Provides an overview of the character and career of George Washington. Reveals a complex portrait of a man who overcame personal obstacles (a violent temper) and professional hindrances (lack of formal education) to become a military hero and our first president. Briefly discusses the Society of the Cincinnati. (MJP)

The personal and teaching efficacy beliefs of preservice and practicing teachers (N=626) were investigated. Significant interaction was found between experience level and school level on personal efficacy. Secondary teachers were more homogeneous in their personal efficacy beliefs and had less teaching efficacy than elementary teachers. (SM)

Defines moral education as the attempt to create individuals who are willing and able to treat each other as equals and feel compassion towards one another. Considers the contributions of psychotherapy concerning the potential of autonomous individual development to enact social change. (MJP)

Examines some factors contributing to the success of art as a therapeutic tool with children with autism and considers some reasons why art is not more in evidence in schools. Considers benefits of art therapy and the role of art education as part of the British National Curriculum. Outlines the skills that experienced teachers of children with…

Discusses the results of a content analysis of student journals in which the students applied concepts from their social psychology course to their daily social experiences. Reveals that students applied each of four cognitive operations (labeling, explaining, reducing consequences, and self-assessing) to various aspects of the self. (MJP)

Using focus groups, Australian researchers examined characteristics of Catholic school teachers' (N=67) faith development, noting strategies and models that supported faith development. They found eight categories of attributes characteristic of faith-filled teachers. Activities that nurtured personal growth through opportunities for inner…

Describes an educational game where students are assigned a hypothetical "lot" representing a life event that centers on a developmental issue. The lot serves as the topic for empirical research and investigations into community agencies. Student research focuses on implications for individual development and the quality of family life. (MJP)

In adventure education, risk is important to achieving program objectives. An increased concern with legal liability and the concentration of media attention on negative outcomes have contributed to an increased social aversion to risk. Adventure education must establish that risk leads to personal growth and can be managed constructively in the…

Revisits the middle-level school movement. Provides an overview of young adolescents' development, offers representative examples of developmentally appropriate practices, and looks at progress educators have made as well challenges encountered. Emphasizes the importance of understanding physical, pychosocial, and cognitive development in young…

One of the continuing problems for public education has been the absence of effective programs to support teachers during their induction into the profession. Describes an intervention program coordinated by mentor counselors and mentor teachers along with preliminary qualitative and quantitative findings. (JBJ)

An account of one first grader's growth in writing and how his steady progress toward competence changed the way his teacher evaluated all children's writing growth. Chronicles the teacher's developing professional growth as she learned to look for the things mastered instead of the things still not understood. (ET)

Factors that influence precollege decision making were investigated, through case studies of three rural gifted female college students. Participants saw themselves as intelligent, independent, outspoken, and goal-directed, and expected to be involved in dual career and partnership relationships. Career decisions, family support, and time…

Reports on research with preschool caregivers, primary grade teachers, and home caregivers of 605 young children on the role the visual arts play in early childhood education. Finds that parents and personnel at day care centers and nursery schools were sensitive to, and positive about, the role and significance of visual arts. (CFR)

Interviews with 76 working adults with developmental disabilities suggested that full-time employment did little to improve their quality of life. Interviews covered subjects' physical and material well-being, relations with others, personal development and fulfillment, social activities, community and civic activities, and productivity. Issues of…

Reports findings regarding home language environments of children in the longitudinal Home-School Study of Language and Literacy Development project. Data about family practices concerning book reading, toy play, elicited reports, and mealtime conversations were gathered. Cases support a multi-componential view of language. (BB)