A young man who completed Project Adventure's Legacy Program for young sex offenders in Georgia explains how group therapy and adventure programming help participants understand their behaviors and develop empathy for their victims. A follow-up program uses adventure to develop healthy living habits, requires completion of high school or GED, and…

This document presents a personal statement concerning the recommendations in "Turning Points," a 1989 publication of the Carnegie Corporation's Task Force on Education of Young Adolescents. This document suggests how the reformulation of middle grade schools along the lines recommended in "Turning Points" can improve the life chances of young…

Two educators describe the changes in a severely retarded, multiply disabled 12-year-old resulting from a functional curriculum approach. Assessment of his life needs and skills produced a new curriculum with emphasis on age appropriate interests. (CL)

The skills needed to do well in life are different from the skills needed to do well in school. Bringing the skills needed for life and work into the curriculum and pedagogy of high schools is one of the major challenges of this era of school reform. Drawing on examples of effective teaching and learning, this book addresses the question of how…

A literature review was conducted to define technological literacy and its implications for the role of education in preparing citizens in a participatory democracy, as consumers and family members, for employment, and in the spiritual/philosophical dimensions of life as they relate to our conceptions of technology. A definition of technological…

Since career education encompasses education and training for life roles, including daily living skills and academic and vocational skills, it must become better integrated and focused for visually impaired children during the early years. Currently available career education materials are not always suitable for residential school students. (SEW)

The article questions the loss model used to explain a lack of motivation in visually impaired clients. An alternative model proposes that self-efficacy is the primary factor in adjustment, suggesting that early skill-oriented intervention can prevent loss of competence and foster a sense of personal control essential for successful…

Described are discrepancies among the needs of students with severe disabilities, the independent living objectives set for them, and the realities of community care. Developing self-help and decision-making skills is too taxing and overwhelming for some, and community support is insufficient to develop a satisfactory quality of independent…

The general condition of black children is reported with a focus on maladaptive behaviors caused by being black in American society. Black youth are characterized as alienated, poor, poorly educated, and lacking safe housing. Government responses to the needs of these children are fraught with social barriers and bureaucracy. As in all…

Parents describe how the Disabled Students' Program at the University of California-Berkeley supported their daughter with cerebral palsy in pursuing an independent college career. Two vignettes describing college students' (with muscular dystrophy and physical disabilities) adjustment at Boston University are presented. (CB)

Maintains that caring adults can intervene in many ways to help learning-disabled adolescents acquire the planning, organizational, language, and socialization skills they need to make the transition into adulthood. (BB)

Considers the impact of the lack of computer literacy and computer-assisted instruction on the socially and economically disadvantaged in terms of basic living skills as well as vocational and educational opportunities, and makes four recommendations for ensuring that all segments of society will share equally in the benefits of computer…

Reports a survey of Northern California high school principals and recent graduates addressing the extent to which technological subject matter has been incorporated into course offerings. The impact of technology, implications for curriculum, and recommended activities and assignments for heightening students' awareness of the impact of…

Presents an overview of findings related to preparing for employment and making a successful college-to-work transition. Reports how some educators responded to these findings and their recommendations for nontechnical skill development at the postsecondary level. (JOW)

Citing William Spady's distinction between capacity and competence, the author asserts that current competency tests mainly measure academic (capacity) not life (competency) skills. He then considers problems inherent in delineating, teaching, and testing essential practical living competencies and presents some alternatives. Part of a theme issue…