When 32 mentally retarded adults who had been transferred from large institutions to new small units were tested 5.5 years after the transfer, tests indicated that they had retained or regained adaptive behavior skills but had declined in psycholinguistic abilities. (Author/CB)

This interim report summarizes the first-year findings and activities for the Adult Outcome Component of the Texas Effectiveness Study, implemented during the 1996-97 school year. The Adult Outcome component is one of three components of the Texas Effectiveness Study that will provide information about the outcomes of special education in Texas.…

Presents results from ethnographic study on children's everyday life in Finnish daycare centers. Raises question of the relationship between play and real life, and analyzes play and playfulness as communicative resources used by children in creating everyday routines. Argues play is not a separate children's world; by using play, children also…

This study examined the views of 176 kindergarten teachers regarding those skills children need to be successful in kindergarten. Teachers ranked 149 skills within 5 domains: gross motor, fine motor, general knowledge and school readiness, language, and social. Findings indicated that items related to academic readiness were not seen as critical…

This survey found that regular education teachers (n=312) felt that friendships between students with and without disabilities are possible, should be facilitated by adults, and are beneficial to all students. The survey also identified educational settings in which friendship, functional life skill, and academic skill development were most likely…

Three classes of variables were used to predict three indices of intervention outcomes for children with handicaps and developmental delays. Results suggest the important role of nonprogram variables in determining outcomes in programs that train parents to teach preacademic, communication, social, self-help, and motor development skills.…

Evaluated Life Skills training programs conducted within 3 Canadian penitentiaries in terms of how effectively they met goals of changing inmates' personal and social functioning. Comparison of 68 treated inmates with 22 untreated controls indicated clear benefits for trained subjects. Discusses findings in terms of value of training in Life…

This study examined factors of personal competency and community participation in discriminating between 336 people with mental retardation living in small group homes and small foster homes. Personal competencies were least important in distinguishing on the basis of setting. Primary differences emerged in extent of community participation,…

To determine the worth of leisure education for adolescents with mental retardation, this study tested a model program in the public schools of Wake County, North Carolina. Findings indicated positive changes in behaviors and attitudes. Limitations, implications, and recommendations are also discussed. (GLR)

Interviews were conducted with staff and family members of 54 Australian individuals with mental retardation and with nine of the individuals, who had been moved from a psychiatric hospital to community residential homes. Overall, all informants regarded the move as positive and reported improvements in daily living skills, social skills, and…

This study's purpose was to determine the youth leadership life skills of Texas 4- H, FFA, and FCCLA members participating as school tour guides. Descriptive characteristics were evaluated to determine those affecting leadership life skills development. School tour guides participating in the exit-meeting during the 2004 San Antonio Livestock…

This paper examines the relationship between Korean culture and the historical development of its kindergarten (preschool) curriculum. After reviewing the values that were emphasized in traditional Korean society, focusing on ethics, loyalty and filial piety, propriety, and gender roles, the paper provides examples of how these values influences…

The 13 papers in this volume are: "Behind Bars with CBE--Look What's Happening to Inmate Training" (Beverly A. Stitt, Rita Noel); "Communication Skills: Relevance, Respect, Responsibility and the Process of Change" (Meredith Whaley); "The Educational Needs of Inmates in the Kingston Prison for Women" (Richard Volpe,…

Junior and senior high school social studies teachers and teachers of the mildly handicapped (primarily learning disabled) in New Jersey (N=195) responded to a social issues survey. For each of 14 social issues, they were asked to indicate the frequency with which the issue was included in the instructional program, its importance, their own level…

A study was undertaken to determine strategies for dealing with the information needs of urban residents. To identify how citizens obtain information, an open-ended questionnaire was administered to 602 respondents from the general population of Seattle, including Asians and blacks. Results were analyzed using 33 content analytic schemes, and…