Describes software programs for use by math teachers in elementary and secondary schools that can be used to help develop critical and analytical math skills. Highlights include programs that link mathematics with daily living skills, programs that stress visual representation, and a software "sampler" that includes educational…

Criticizes life skills curricula based on inherent ideological dimensions which transform the complexity of life processes into a set of skills. Perceives links between recent curriculum initiatives and wider administrative processes, which use the broad concept of skills to organize relations between education and the labor market. (DMM)

The child welfare field is uncertain how to best prepare older foster wards for independent living. Research priorities in this area are discussed in five categories: (1) education and school-to-work transitions; (2) formal assessments of readiness for self-sufficiency; (3) provision of transitional supports; (4) support networks; and (5)…

This study, involving 118 adolescents and adults with deafness, found a high level of concurrent criterion validity for the National Independent Living Skills (NILS) Screening Instrument. The study concluded that the NILS is a valid tool for assessing independent living skills of persons age 16 and older with a hearing impairment and possible…

"Living on Your Own," a high school course in Ankeny (Iowa) Community Schools, uses a team teaching approach in which industrial and home economics educators teach (1) car selection, financing, and maintenance; (2) equipment maintenance and home repair; (3) selection of housing and furnishings, insurance, and financial services; and (4) use of…

Principal components analysis was employed on the Adaptive Behavior Scales with scores of 122 older (mean age 63.5) individuals with severe intellectual impairment living in England. The study found the structure of adaptive skills and interpersonal maladaptive behaviors similar to that found for younger retarded adults. Two factors, personal…

Because schools are staggering under responsibilities abdicated by family, community, church, and industry, they are failing to educate. Two schools are necessary: the academic school, with instruction devoted exclusively to the arts and sciences; and an afterhours parallel school providing sports and extracurricular activities, social services,…

Findings from a 1985-86 study of mentally retarded persons (N=370) over age 62 living in residential facilities indicated similarities in their medical care needs compared with needs of the general older population. Differences were in areas such as level of retardation and independent living skills, which increase assistance needs but not…

Used data from Georgia Centenarian Study to examine differences between rural (n=18) and urban (n=66) centenarians across physical health, activities of daily living, mental health, and life satisfaction. Found higher levels of morale in rural residents and higher levels of functional health in urban elders. Findings demonstrated absence of robust…

This study examined how depressed and nondepressed nursing home residents differed on measures of frequency of daily activity involvement and accompanying affect. Interviews indicated the groups differed significantly on frequency of activity involvement and affect. Depressed subjects spent large portions of time watching television. Nondepressed…

This review explored the literature on programs for students with learning disabilities incorporating self-advocacy components into secondary-to-post-secondary transition programs. An evaluation of self-advocacy components is presented to determine to what extent such self-advocacy skills as knowing one's rights, effective communication skills,…

The Functional Independence Measure for Blind Adults (FIMBA) Preadmission Interview and the Post-discharge Interview was tested on 143 veterans with blindness. Findings indicate the veterans achieved gains in at least one of the three dimensions (frequency, ease, and satisfaction) across the 33 items that were measured by FIMBA. (Contains…

The quality, number, and content of residential Individualized Habilitation Plans (IHP) objectives were evaluated for 155 adult institution and community residents. Over 90 percent of objectives were functional and age appropriate. Community residents had significantly more IHP objectives and also had objectives from a wider variety of content…

Outlines a basic structure for assessing the needs of individuals with visual impairments and setting up a system for labeling and marking that will meet those needs. Steps for organizing items, encouraging the development of sensory abilities, and selecting visual, tactual, or auditory systems are described. (CR)

A study explored the internal consistency of items in a visual screening instrument developed by Project PAVE: Expectations for Visual Functioning (EVF). The test includes 20 items that evaluate a child's functional use of vision. A pilot test involving 129 teachers indicates the EFV is internally consistent. (Contains three references.) (CR)