Developmental assets are a research-based list of the essential building blocks of healthy youth development and comprise the relationships, experiences, and values that youth need to grow up caring, confident, and responsible. In November, 2001, Assets for Colorado Youth (ACY) convened a group of educators, students, and family advocates from the…

This case study offers a perspective on the effectiveness of project-based bilingual curricula in empowering the adult English language learner. The purpose of this study is to examine the English acquisition process of adult Latina women who participate in a project based bilingual language program. The program uses techniques that include…

This paper suggests the need for a research-validated framework to help preservice and inservice teachers and higher education faculty understand fundamental learner needs that must be met in any setting and any reform effort. It describes a learner-centered framework based on the research-validated "Learner-Centered Psychological…

This book offers suggestions for the broad integration of leadership training and opportunities into school programs. It is hoped that such an approach will allow educators to tap into the networks of peer influence that exist among adolescents and to realize the goal of citizenship education. The chapters are: chapter 1, "Introduction: The…

Peace Corps volunteers are perceived as role models, technical specialists, teachers, counselors, heroes, and friends. This idea book shares specific ideas and frameworks for transferring the potential for positive guidance into classrooms and communities around the world. It concentrates on activities and strategies that increase girls' access…

This report describes a program designed to empower students through the use of the democratic classroom to improve students' attitudes toward school. Targeted population consisted of sixth grade students in a growing middle class community, located in a major midwestern city. The problem of poor student attitude was documented through data…

This study addressed the efficacy and outcomes of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Nutrition Education Training (NET) project designed to increase awareness of health risk and wellness factors for grade 9 high school students. The study also considered the empowerment fostered by the program and measured changes in the health and nutrition…

This qualitative case study describes a portfolio program in the teaching of English as a foreign language in two Finnish upper secondary schools. Approximately 100 students participated in the portfolio program, whose topic area was culture. First, the purpose of this action research was to try out and develop portfolios in foreign language…

This experimental study explores the relationship between students' perceptions of their leadership abilities and the characteristics of community colleges' academic and extracurricular programs. The research examines correlations between participation in school events and volunteer and community service, and the students' self-ratings on their…

A teacher educator, engaged in ongoing practitioner inquiry to explore self as well as program, examines her evolution as a teacher of teachers through reflection, systematic inquiry, and collaboration. Relating autobiographically, she conjures up her professional stories and listens to her voice in an effort to define and refine her role, reflect…

Describes a person-centered planning approach for involving students with disabilities and their families in the transition planning process. Components of person-centered planning are discussed, including development of a personal profile, identification of future lifestyle preferences, action steps and responsible parties, and necessary changes…

A study investigated teachers' and parents' engagement in recommended practices for fostering self-determination skills of 58 secondary students with disabilities. Fewer than half of parents frequently engaged in recommended behaviors and more than half of the teachers engaged frequently in most practices. Student demographic variables did not…

Asserts that with observed and predicted growth in social and political activism among students, higher education and community leaders are challenged to rethink the impact of student activism on students' development and on institutional and community change processes. (KW)

Interviews with high school seniors and teachers explored perceptions of technology's role in schooling. Most preferred to adapt technology to traditional, teacher-centered instruction. A minority valued technology as a facilitator of student-centered inquiry and differed in beliefs about schooling and in dispositional tolerance for uncertainty.…

Describes the Touchstones Discussion Project at New York's Rice High School, in which students lead and participate in discussions on writings related to controversial issues. Suggests that the project helps students master complex material and develop leadership skills as they take increasing responsibility for their education. (AJL)