Presents an ethnographic study of a first-grade whole-language classroom. Focuses on the teacher's philosophical evolution and the pivotal classroom interactions that served to translate her beliefs into practice. Notes that, even for a master teacher, the temptation to retain control was formidable. (RS)

Defines community empowerment (CE) at individual, organizational, and community levels; fits CE within a model of stress and health status; describes instruments to measure CE as used in the Detroit Area Survey. Presents guidelines for and barriers to a CE perspective in health education. (SK)

Formative evaluation of San Francisco's Homeless Prenatal Program showed that it improves birth outcomes and transforms clients' lives. Its empowerment model emphasizes the mother-child connection as well as "giving back"; community health outreach workers were themselves homeless mothers who provide peer support and serve as role…

Presents Paul Salmon's old-fashioned, common-sense guidelines for success in practical school administration. The maxims advise on problem ownership; the value of selective neglect; the importance of empowerment, enthusiasm, and effective communication; and the need for positive reinforcement, cultivation of support, and good relations with media,…

A researcher collected data on family literacy in a Mexican-American community and shared findings with parents. As a result, parents organized a group to demand school responsiveness to their needs. The researcher changed her role to become involved in empowering parents. (SK)

A Long Island superintendent (a former workaholic) explains his need for relaxation, uninterrupted family time, and behavior changes. He now takes all of his vacation time (without calling the office), delegates authority, and relaxes off the job. Superintendents are empowered to control their own wellness. (MLH)

Students (n=327) participating in an undergraduate community service learning course were surveyed at the beginning and end of a semester concerning their sense of power to impact the world. Contrary to expectation, they reported a lesser sense of power following the experience, with the effect strongest for particular students and settings,…

Illustrates the possibilities of critical literacy by discussing a project a class of fourth-grade students undertook to write and produce a play about the conditions of apartheid, the history of resistance, and the upcoming South African elections. Concludes that students felt empowered as social activists and believed they had a mandate and the…

Using technology can empower students, but most U.S. schools fall short of this goal. The power of technology as related to other school subjects and problem solving is well documented in projects promoting integration of technology education with mathematics and science. National Science Education Standards are summarized. (26 references) (MLH)

Explored issues involved in the implementation of programs designed for boys on the issues of gender and violence through interview data from teachers and male students from two Australian high schools. Findings support a belief that male teachers should work with boys on gender issues because men have a responsibility to challenge the existing…

Describes how the author used "democratic" directing methods in her after-school play rehearsals of Shakespeare to help high school students navigate the shifting space between their own creative freedom and the conventional confines of a public high school. Details her use of unorthodox rehearsal strategies involving student…

This article discusses recent experiences with successful special education mediations. It examines several mediation cases, focusing on common elements that may have contributed to successful resolution, including the skills of the mediator, training for mediation, development of an educational plan, the assistance of well-trained advocates, and…

Examined the influence of four empowerment dimensions (decision latitude, job responsibility, job involvement, and enabling environment) on work-related outcome behaviors (e.g., intrinsic motivation, job satisfaction, intention to turnover, commitment, and job frustration) among Maltese teachers. Job involvement contributed significantly to nearly…

Observations of open-ended activities in third- and fourth-grade classes identified six characteristics of such activities that can empower teachers and students. These include establishment of activity boundaries, importance of the teacher, risk-taking for teachers and students, negotiation of responsibilities, extended time frameworks, and…

This paper reviews the literature on empowerment as a psychological construct and as an outcome of disability service provision. Key components of empowerment are identified, such as self-efficacy, sense of control, and participation/collaboration. Models of empowerment and allied constructs, including locus of control and power/powerlessness, are…