The introduction to this journal issue on gender equity and the special needs of gifted males examines the role of choice for gifted young people and the significant adults in their lives noting factors that affect choice, social and emotional well-being, achievement and career choice, and breaking free of past patterns. (DB)

This hypothetical letter to a junior high school student with visual impairments stresses the child's abilities and possibilities rather than limitations as well as the importance of the child's individual development and assumption of personal responsibility. The letter is primarily intended to help teachers think about how to best help such…

Presents a Russian mother's thoughts on her child's entry into school. Argues that education must promote the development of a free person. Discusses the institutional barriers to freedom and individuality for student and teacher alike. Recommends a radical restructuring of adults' relations with children. Expresses the belief that perestroika…

Examines the role of self-directedness or "learning education" in student development. Discusses a study of a group of Moscow (Russia) social science classes. Reports that children who studied a topic as a whole during each class outperformed students for whom the material was divided into separate lessons. Suggests that the holistic…

Two brief papers provide reasons to support self-determination for students with disabilities, with one paper written from the perspective of educators and one written from the parents' perspective. Each paper discusses 11 benefits of self-determination, including: (1) personal control, (2) motivation, (3) prosocial behaviors, (4) self-awareness,…

The adjustment to college represents a potentially invigorating and unsettling time for students. As students are socialized into college experiences, they must simultaneously navigate issues of identity, uncertainty, and change--all of which take place in a dynamic, ever-changing communication environment. The purpose of this study was to explore…

Discusses student responses to a fourth grade teacher's efforts to engage students in social action. Indicates that most students felt they could be passive good citizens and that social action would fail anyway. Argues that schools need to promote active citizenship. Examines an alternative model of citizenship education that promotes individual…

Presents results of an experiment enabling students to develop their own cognitive and metacognitive strategies to promote autonomous learning in mathematical problem solving, knowledge acquisition, and written composition. Explains that students dealt with models of teachers' and classmates' cognitive performances and monitored their own…

This guide was developed to assist families and professionals working with people having severe disabilities to improve the overall quality of life these individuals experience. An introduction contrasts new attitudes (such as emphasizing individual strengths and personal control and autonomy) with existing practices which often focus on students'…

Contends that identity problems among adolescents are exacerbated by misinterpretations of the role education plays in the process of achieving personal autonomy. States these problems arise when means to autonomy become ends in themselves and when status is emphasized over character. Explores three stages of the process from freedom to…

This career planning guide is intended for college students with disabilities who desire careers in science, mathematics, or engineering. The booklet reflects the experiences and advice of 286 individuals with disabilities who are in these careers or preparing for them. The first section focuses on the personal autonomy available in the college…

This instructional kit outlines procedures for implementing Project PARTnership, a program for teaching students with disabilities greater self-determination skills through specifically designed arts experiences. An introductory section describes key project activities, including establishing a site steering committee comprised of teachers,…