At the beginning of the 1990s, education in South Africa was in turmoil and experienced a major crisis. Adding to the crisis were problems such as major inequalities in South African society where the majority of people were marginalized and forced to live in a disenfranchised society. Educational change was required to provide equity in terms of…

This paper presents an outline of teacher empowerment issues. Section 1, "Definitions of Terms and Concepts Related to Teacher Empowerment," focuses on "Teacher Empowerment,""Dimensions of Empowerment,""Three Views of Empowerment,""Issues Related to Empowerment,""Terms Frequently Used in the…

From April 11-14, 1995, the Onondaga Community Living (OCL) organization hosted a team of five visitors sponsored by Syracuse University's Center on Human Policy. OCL provides services to empower and individually support people with developmental disabilities. In investigating the organization's move toward the provision of individual supports in…

This paper examines specific pedagogical themes, findings, and implications for dance education. The focus is on the topic of educating the student body in dance. The paper draws on a preliminary introduction and analysis from a previous study and accompanying course which pointed out a common dominant focus in dance education (an externalized…

This videotape presents the keynote speeches of the 1997 Hawai'i Literacy Hui conference on the theme of "Changing Lives, Building Communities." Featured in the videotape are two speeches: Linda Darling-Hammond's "The Right To Learn and Teach: Towards Democratic Education," in which she discusses how authentic assessment in the context of the new…

Describes and evaluates the Life Choices Program for girls (N=66) aged 9 to 12, which emphasizes empowerment as an intervention. Comparison of the Life Choices participants with controls (N=50) showed no significant differences in locus of control. Differences in values suggest Life Choices participants are more aware of role alternatives. (JAC)

Describes how integrating services in an Even Start program in Gainesville, Florida, facilitated family literacy. Highlights specific examples from the experience that changed parents' lives. Participants gradually developed political awareness via improved self-esteem, self-confidence, assertiveness, involvement, and self-governance (in a…

Summarizes a study of four southeastern inner-city high schools. In the two neighborhood schools, students were treated like children, educators were not trusted, and the curriculum was considered irrelevant. In citywide schools, these conditions were absent. Whereas the neighborhood schools embraced a philosophy of consciousness, education in…

This article describes the possible effect a smaller federal government would have on empowerment of families of individuals with developmental disabilities. The concept of empowerment and how families have come to rely on government support are discussed. The article also reviews the impact that decreased government support would have on early…

Presents historical background on family participation in early care/education programs. Highlights the vision and activities of four Wisconsin Early Childhood Centers for Excellence offering family-centered services with services to young children. Illustrates various strategies used to empower parents and strengthen bonds between parents and…

Examines attempts by black high school student activists in Chicago in the 1960s to gain community control of their schools. Their combined efforts did not lead to decentralization, but instead resulted in more black administrators and curriculum changes, as well as increased awareness of inadequate education, lack of black administrators, lack of…

Uses the author's experiences to illustrate the challenge of teaching in today's schools. Discusses ways to provide a climate in which students feel they hold ownership, and have relationships with the community of learners around them to engage in discussion about the subject material and further develop their own thinking patterns. Presents…

Academic preparation of principals in Israel is a fairly new commodity in a dynamic, but divided, educational system. Recent program developments are an outgrowth of rapid, complex changes in Israeli society, such as rapid industrialization, growing community and organizational autonomy, and greater respect for individual rights. Development of…

Addresses the role of outdoor education in educating for a sustainable society. Discusses elements in promoting social action (environmental awareness, empowerment, commitment) and 10 essential competencies in educating for sustainability. Describes related benefits of outdoor education such as increasing student motivation, utilizing multiple…

State-sponsored teacher networks in Vermont and California are compared, using interviews with teachers, network staff, and policymakers. It is concluded that state-sponsored networks can improve teachers' knowledge and motivation while empowering them. Recommendations are made for loosely coupled and capacity-building strategies to support…