Twelve theme articles discuss service learning and reflection in agricultural education, student perspective on service learning, Future Farmers of America, character education, intergenerational projects, agricultural communications, and service learning as advocacy. (SK)

This article suggests that bland educational policy statements concerning education of gifted students need to be replaced by policies that directly address students' intellectual, social, and emotional needs. Research is reviewed that suggests such students thrive academically and socially in ability grouped settings and that acceleration…

College students' developmental stages affect their capacities to comprehend and absorb difficult texts and moral problems embedded in them, and faculty should teach accordingly. Interpersonal subjective transactions between teacher and student, the latter of whose identity is in flux, can result in transformations for both. (Author/MSE)

Explains the importance of the "excellence with decency" concept for educators and the children and families they serve through a first-person account of one teacher's experience with National Coalition schools. This experience helped renew the teacher's faith in educational leaders' ability to help all children learn well and the public…

Describes various learning theories and illustrates their relevance to student affairs. Suggests that student affairs professionals focus on learning theories in order to describe their mission, design new efforts that complement and support academic programs on campus, and provide contexts that maximize student learning opportunities. (SNR)

Based on existing data about colleges and universities and their students, a study examined the factors in the college environment that contribute to or inhibit students' character development. Results indicate that colleges that take character-building seriously invest significant human and financial resources. A six-step agenda outlines what…

Two student affairs researchers describe four questions that define the scope, breadth, and depth of student affairs research: "Who are today's college students?"; "How do students experience college?"; "What do students learn and who do they become?"; and How does college make a difference?" Discusses how student affairs researchers or staff can…

Examines the effects of a graduate student peer-mentoring program from the perspectives of both members of the mentoring dyad, the mentors and proteges. Results indicate that peer mentoring provides students with both increased levels of psychosocial and instrumental support, and that those with high levels of support are more satisfied with their…

Findings of this three-year longitudinal study, based on 172 African American students, suggest that attendance at an historically Black college significantly enhances the intellectual growth of African American students. The findings held for both standardized, objective measures of reading comprehension, and for self-reported measures of gains…

Study explores how institutional context affects the development of self-concept in a sample of 273 African American college students. Findings suggest that students attending church affiliated historically Black colleges develop significantly higher self-ratings in three domains of self-concept-psychosocial wellness, academic, and achievement…

This study examines the effects of peer groups on community college students' perceptions of general educational gains. Results support the strong relationships between the efforts that students expend in taking advantage of the opportunities provided by their colleges and their perceived gains in learning. (JM)

Contends that autobiographic writing, specifically copy change poetry, helps developmental students to connect prior experiences with present identity, to become more aware of their feelings, to think about decisions and their consequences, and to construct meaning based upon personal choices. Describes copy change as a simple procedure involving…

Collaboration between student affairs professional and Asian American studies faculty may be mutually beneficial by contributing to holistic student development and creating supportive environments for Asian American students. (Contains 29 references.) (Author)

Asserts that we must look beyond color to other causes of social division, particularly income disparities, in order to rectify present inequities in education and society. Suggests a program of affirmative development in addition to affirmative action. (EV)

Research methodology training within counselor education promotes the development of counselors' cognitive operations relevant for their actual professional practice. Designing graduate research courses to promote this effect develops thinking processes and may make students better counselors. (EMK)