Assessment of adult outcomes of 59 children from severely psychosocially dysfunctional families, who were placed in foster families for at least five years, found most had overcome their childhood adversities with 56% well-integrated socially and only 10% in situations of failure. Difficulties were linked to multiple family disturbances, traumatic…

Investigates whether autonomy and parental attachment in a diverse group of undergraduate women (N=325) varied by class year, as suggested by the Chickering model. Results revealed a pattern of autonomy development that differed from the model's. Although student autonomy increased with class year, students displayed no decreased attachment to…

A cross-sectional study of 1,099 high school students using the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identify Status showed a developmental progression of vocational identity. Ideological, religious, life-style, and political identity domains were related to but lagged behind vocational identity development. (SK)

Tested three models of children's mathematics word-problem solving based on developmental differences in quantitative conceptual structures: (1) quantitative relations represented as ordered array of mental objects; (2) numbers represented on two tentatively coordinated mental number lines; and (3) numerical operations represented as objects on…

Focuses on the legacy of achievement of Virginia Haviland, whose career was dedicated to youth services, the writing and reviewing of children's literature, and scholarly research. It offers an investigation of Haviland's success in mediating her personal desire for a connection with child-related interests with a need for professional…

Considers ways to enhance individual creativity and how an individual can help develop a workplace that utilizes creative approaches to instruction and instructional products. Highlights include individual traits and characteristics; abilities and skills; evaluation and reward; competition; and developing individual creativity as an instructional…

Norman Kunc, consultant on educational and disability issues, discusses his early segregated education and perceived devaluation due to his cerebral palsy; the intrusion of therapies into his daily schedule; and the sometimes assaultive nature of physical therapy. Kunc views his disability as a characteristic of his personal diversity and…

This article describes three very different family environments that nurtured highly gifted children: the Brontes, George Washington Carver, and a group of contemporary siblings in Wales. All cases illustrate the importance of early stimulating environments, including the dynamic interaction of children with nurturing adults, development of the…

Presents a historical and philosophical overview of ideas about permanence versus change in the self over time. Discusses the personal-narrative approach to the problem of identity continuity, describes a typology of strategies whereby adolescents interviewed in Canada made sense of self-continuity and change, and discusses significant differences…

Argues that New Hampshire high-stakes test administered at the end of the third grade is flawed and thus should be discontinued because the questions are not only too abstract, but beyond the knowledge and experience of most third graders. (Contains 23 references.) (PKP)

Data collected from young adults in a life skills course with collage and stimulus instruments were classified as follows: reaction, remembering, learning, behavior change, and life philosophy. Pictorial stimuli proved effective in assessing affective goals and usefully supplemented other forms of assessment. (SK)

Claims that mind and mental objects form a societal mental structure enabling children to assimilate the society and become co-constructing members. Cites evidence that competence to create mental objects, symbols, and meanings separated from action is the evolutionary evolved human capacity for society and culture. Vygotsky's "natural"…

Contrasts work of Leontiev and Vygotsky. Suggests that Leontiev concentrated on social activity as a whole, whereas Vygotsky made semiotic mediation through culturally developed symbols a central aspect of his analysis. Maintains that they shared a philosophical base and that Leontiev used Vygotsky's ideas as a starting point to explore human…

Comparison of 52 British managers who completed National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and 104 with academic management qualifications showed both groups developed similar competence. The academic group was higher in written/numerical ability and the NVQ group was higher in team management. NVQs appear to develop general skills and personal…

Decreasing emphasis on the environment in outdoor and adventure education is resulting in ecologically less knowledgeable participants. It is critical that the environment continue to be part of these programs for three reasons: citizenship and stewardship; empathy and counterbalancing a narcissistic focus on thrills; and opportunities to get in…