With statistical controls in place for confounding influences, students' involvement in diversity experiences during college had statistically significant positive effects on their scores on an objective, standardized measure of critical thinking skills. However, different diversity experiences influenced critical thinking for students in…

Explores the concept of "democracy" and what it means in a multicultural society. Outlines several assumptions of critical literacy and suggests that it is important in realizing a strong democracy. Shows how the Saving Black Mountain project exemplifies critical literacy in action. Notes that students learned that their spoken and…

Describes a presentation before newspaper professionals based on Freedom Forum's "Death by Cheeseburger" and ERIC/REC's "Journalism Kids Do Better." States that a survey of high school newspaper advisors furnished current information on the general status of high school journalism in South Dakota; the presentation gave four…

Students have high expectations for the experience when entering college, but it is unknown if their experiences match their expectations. This study investigates whether expectation-experience discrepancies are related to a diminished experience; it also tests the hypothesis that a focus on first-year developmental advising would be related to…

Three spiritual development theories and theorists (i.e., Parks, Fowler, and Helminiak) were compared with traditional cognitive development theory and theorists. The analysis reveals both commonalities between the two sets of theories and unique contributions to an understanding of student development on the part of spiritual development theory.…

A survey identified the predominant conflict resolution style of 371 4-H youth development volunteer leaders. The use of solution-oriented styles differed by leaders' program area. Differences between those who received more and less conflict resolution training were small. A variety of skill levels in conflict resolution were found. (SK)

Examines psychosocial issues for Asian Pacific American (APA) students, one of the fastest growing but most understudied college populations. Finds that general groupings of developmental issues align somewhat with traditional psychosocial theory, although the underlying assumptions and specific developmental tasks do not fit the experience of…

As part of this special issue on student spirituality and development, provides a list of books, retreat centers, and websites to help the interested reader begin to explore spiritual development. Includes sites that allow exploration from a number of faith traditions and perspectives. (GCP)

Focuses on the development and implementation of national standards for school counseling programs in the United States. Highlights the emphasis of programs on the academic, career, and personal-social development of students. Discusses the relationship between educational reform and the push for standards in school counseling programs. (Contains…

The UK government's widening participation strategy, and the concomitant development of a mass higher education system, has imposed a variety of pressures on higher education institutions. Not least of these is the changing nature of the student population, and the assumptions that can be made about its skills and knowledge base. It should not be…

A review of over 50 studies of afterschool programs conducted by The Afterschool Alliance suggests: (1) quality afterschool programs improved school attendance, engagement in learning, test scores, and grades; (2) frequency and duration of afterschool participation increases benefits; and (3) high-risk youth show the greatest benefits. This fact…

The purpose of this study, funded by Jobs for the Future through a grant to the Massachusetts Community Colleges Executive Office, was to: (1) provide an update on the status of developmental education within Massachusetts community colleges; (2) shed light on the alignment between research-based best practices to advance success among…

This dissertation investigates how teaching in a hands-on science center contributes to re/shaping one's teaching identity. Situated at the New York Hall of Science (NYHS) in Queens, New York, my research approach is to conduct a critical ethnography where the focus is on improving the teaching and learning of science for all involved. In…

Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI) is a competency-based approach to intervening with adolescents, particularly within the schools, who are experiencing emotional pain, psychological distress, or behavioral disruption in their personal lives. LSCI is used to help classroom teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, and other school staff to…

Background/Context: Twenty percent of first-year students in public 4-year institutions and 42% of first-year students in public 2-year institutions in the United States enroll in remedial courses. Yet despite widespread remediation across U.S. colleges and universities, there remains a great deal of uncertainty about how remedial courses develop…