The choice theory holds that people can control only their own behavior, and that all people need a sense of belonging, freedom, power, and fun. This article argues that teachers must recognize that these needs motivate student behavior, and describes how a middle school turned its discipline and achievement problems around by using choice theory.…

A South Australian research project examining assimilationist frameworks in Aboriginal education sought to empower the rural Aboriginal community through participation in the project. Issues that emerged included the influence of funding on research for social change; the shaping of knowledge/power relations through project design and…

A participatory action research process was used to support an Aboriginal men's group in Queensland (Australia). Using a reflective approach, the men's group defined principles and values to which they aspired, then identified four strategies to enable them to become constructive members of the community: personal development, employment,…

Links literacy for women with justice and empowerment. Cites that 70 percent of illiterates are female. Stresses that this statistic reflects the strength of patriarchal attitudes and male-dominated literacy campaigns. Presents three case studies to show cultural differences in women's literacy issues. Suggests strategies for achieving justice…

Contends that many students enter sociology with an exaggerated belief in their own uniqueness. Presents a description of a course activity in which students see how social forces affect their choices and chances, thereby seeing the sociological perspective on social problems. (CFR)

Argues that the remedial reading and study skills approach to retention courses for minority students is seriously flawed and often consists of no more than offering good advice. Accurately assessing student work in an atmosphere that validates cultural pluralism will best support student efforts and affirm their worth. (SLD)

The purposes of this study were to operationalize individual empowerment within the context of the MOMobile Program, to explore the relationships formed between MOMobile Advocates and their clients, and to develop an appropriate survey instrument for assessing the impact of a Community Health Worker (CHW) intervention in a community-based social…

Some of the leading players in adult learning and a few regular contributors of "Adults Learning" were asked about what they would like to see on the agendas of ministers in the new Government. This article shares and presents the thoughts of these players in adult learning. These include: (1) "Sounds like lifelong learning" by…

This brief document offers ten principles of effective school design. They are: (1) Clear Focus and High Expectations for staff and students are defining features of an effective school; (2) A Rigorous Instructional Program provides equitable opportunities to learn and enables every student to master challenging content, skills, and learning…

This practicum project was designed to increase student ownership of learning through student-kept assignment calendars and portfolios. The subjects, 63 junior high school students at a private Christian school, were also involved in frequent, cooperative sessions in which they checked each other's work and offered suggestions, with reports to the…

This report describes a federally funded project designed to meet the needs of culturally diverse children with special health care needs and their families in New York. The goal was to establish a model program that would demonstrate that the quality of life for culturally diverse children with special health needs and their families would be…

This book, which is intended for individuals responsible for human resource development (HRD) programs, examines a number of issues in turning investments in training and development into human capital and examines ways of making the workplace an arena for development. The following topics are discussed: the nature and role of training and…

This annotated bibliography provides approximately 100 summaries and evaluations of documents, published from 1979 to 1995, on personal assistance services (PAS) for individuals with disabilities. Studies and articles were selected for inclusion based upon their capacity to inform the development of PAS models, including conceptual, policy, and…

Tilonia, a typical rural village of the State of Rajasthan (India), is home to the Social Work and Research Centre (SWRC). Since 1972, SWRC has brought educational services, safe drinking water, health care, and employment to villages in the area. It has started 150 night schools in 89 villages, where children who work during the day develop…

A participatory research model collected stories of the experiences and most pressing problems of mothers on welfare. Over 35 African American, biracial, and Anglo women from an urban community who received cash assistance in a midwestern, largely rural state participated in small group discussions at a job readiness program. An interactive…