Argues that parents and educators must strive to develop true independence within their children. Argues that independence is achieved by encouraging a strong will in children which enables them to fully develop their personality and arms them with the skills to make decisions, create positive self-esteem, and be responsible and sympathetic…

Explores mentoring as a means of promoting spiritual growth for women in a congregational setting. Surveys the roles and activities of mentors with special attention to utilization in business and educational environments. Proposes four likely components of a mentoring relationship. (MJP)

Reviews the current theories concerning individual differences in cognitive functioning. While some argue that heredity places a genetic cap on intellectual development, others emphasize the dynamic interrelationship between cultural and environmental factors. Concludes that intelligence is more complex than the heredity advocates allow. (MJP)

Women's literacy programs in rural Mali were studied through observation and surveys of 42 participants and 29 nonparticipants. Few participants acquired literacy skills, those that did rarely used them, and literacy acquisition had little socioeconomic impact on women's lives. General constraints on literacy usage in rural villages are discussed,…

Identified groups of economically disadvantaged children showing high externalizing behavior in first grade that persisted (persistent) or decreased (improver) in third grade, or low first- grade levels that were stable (unproblematic) or increased (new problem) in third grade. Found that verbal ability, behavioral impulsivity, parent…

Maintains that self-esteem is more than simply "feeling good" about oneself. It derives from having experienced meaningful success. A service learning program can accomplish this and avoid the self-preoccupation and narcissism that occasionally accompany self-esteem efforts. Service learning can replace this with empathy and commitment. (MJP)

This autobiographical reflection on 40 years of teaching uses various accounts of schooling and teacher education practice against personal experience to explore continuities of teaching, progressive teaching practice, racial bias, teaching for understanding, teacher education, knowing the students, learning communities, teaching as a moral and…

Examined developmental trajectories toward violence over middle childhood and children's response to a universal school-based preventive intervention. Found that three growth patterns--positive linear, late acceleration, and gradual deceleration--characterized the children's trajectories, and these trajectories varied meaningfully by child…

Reviewed 21 empirical studies concerning the relationship between self-esteem and ethnic identity among Latino adolescents. Found that despite differences in conceptualization of ethnic identity and some methodological limitations, existing research suggested a positive relationship between ethnic identification and self-esteem for Latinos living…

The relationship between biological maturation, as evidenced by skeletal growth, during adolescence and the development of drinking habits and alcohol abuse was studied for a representative group of Swedish males (N=88). Early and late maturers had more advanced drinking habits at age 14 years than did normally maturing subjects. (TJH)

Reviews theories which link college attendance and moral judgment. Evaluation is made on basis of longitudinal, experimental, correlational, educational, and life experience studies. The theories of generalized understanding, intellectual stimulation, and generalized learning are found to be more plausible than simple age/maturation,…

Effects on the personal development of participants in the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) are evaluated. In a series of studies conducted at the Detroit FGP, foster grandparenting positively influenced the children's social, verbal, and intellectual development. Positive outcomes for the older participants included life satisfaction, adjustment,…

Examined developmental behaviors in college seniors having made a career choice and compared these with behaviors of college seniors undecided about careers. Results suggest a relationship between student developmental tasks and career decisions. Career decisions were unrelated to psychological distress and the development of interpersonal…

As teacher, musician, and performing artist, John Stokes has traveled widely in his efforts to promote awareness of the natural world and the integrity of indigenous peoples. In this interview, Stokes discusses life experiences that led him to establish the Tracking Project, a program that has taught traditional tracking and survival skills to…

This article introduces a self-determination curriculum, Learning with PURPOSE, intended for adolescent students with disabilities or students at risk for failure. It identifies critical self-determination skills, defines self-determination, outlines the curriculum, and notes the curriculum's parent component. (DB)