Decision making should be viewed as a deliberate process that can be taught as a basic classroom skill. Common myths and problems surrounding decision making are discussed. The purpose of initiating decision making opportunities is to promote creativity, not conformity. Five suggested steps for the process are: (1) explore the many alternatives…

Science is shown to have unique characteristics that make it a valuable component of a basic education. While stressing the physical world, it can also provide a good model for rational and moral behavior. (JMF)

This volume, one of a series of curriculum guides compiled by the Colorado Workplace Learning Initiative: 1991-92, contains seven workplace literacy courses on enhanced basic skills involving decisions, teams, problem solving, and critical thinking. Introductory materials include a table of contents and a list of the curriculum topics covered by…

Responses to interview questions regarding self-determination opportunities, outcomes, and importance were compared across 21 adults with developmental disabilities and 20 advocates. Self-determination skills in the areas of problem solving, assertiveness, decision making, and goal setting were also addressed. Areas of agreement and disagreement…

Maintaining that lack of action is one of the biggest errors school managers make, this author describes development of competency based education (CBE) programs as one example of how action can be taken by identifying a problem area and systematically approaching it. He defines CBE programs as those involving identification of basic skills, a…

The Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) report lists competencies generic for all students. They include using resources, using information, interpersonal abilities, using systems, and technology. A final report is being prepared pointing out the conflicting messages in the America 2000 plan (stressing academics) and the…

Intended for adolescents and young adults with learning disabilities and their parents, this curriculum addresses specific social skill problems identified in a needs assessment completed by parents. Two introductory chapters, one for parents and one for young adults, precede the curriculum. Chapter 1 examines how the individual's surroundings…

Based on the premise that traditional skill deficiencies are symptoms of a fundamental inability to reason, to use concepts, and to solve problems, a three-part remedial course was designed by the Philosophy Department at LaGuardia Community College (New York) to teach critical thinking as a basic learning skill. Part I of the course explores the…

Formative, in-process evaluation results can be used to refine or "fine tune" Even Start programs. The assumption is that the programs have obtained comprehensive and appropriate empirical data on the assessment of the program as a whole as well as its specific goals. This six-step model uses evaluation data to improve program delivery.…

Provided are descriptions of 520 resources for teaching thinking skills to students in kindergarten through the fourth year of high school. Each entry includes the title; name of developer; type of material; purpose and use; type of thinking skills addressed; a brief description; the publisher's name, address, and phone number; the cost; order…

Designed to assist schools in implementing developmental skills in the social studies programs for grades K-12, this guide is divided into seven sections. The first section, a literature review, cites publications on social studies skills. Section 2 gives an interdisciplinary view of shared skills in the New York state curriculum. Three skill…

A special transitional course (College Success) developed for college freshmen at the State University of New York College at Cortland is described in this report. Designed to meet standard problems of transition from high school to college and deal with detected deficits in learning and studying skills, it offers small group experience on issues…

A workplace literacy partnership program model was demonstrated at four Chrysler plants in Indiana. Objectives were to improve workers' individual skills, enhance personal productivity, and increase work force job security and plant competitiveness. During the 3-month start-up phase, project staff worked with management and labor representatives…

This document includes a final report and curriculum manual from a project to help adult educators teach team training by developing a curriculum for use in teaching teamwork skills in work force literacy programs and by providing two half-day seminars to assist adult educators with effectively using the curriculum. The manual for work force…

This module is the third of 10 in the Essential Communication and Documentation Skills curriculum. It develops decision making, a workplace literacy skill identified as being directly related to the job of the direct care worker. The curriculum is designed to improve the competence of New York State Division for Youth direct care staff using…