Adolescent development and educational policy: Strengths and weaknesses of the knowledge base

A discussion of the Carnegie Corp's 1989 report, Turning Points: Preparing American Youth for the 21st Century, & the extent to which research findings are reflected in educational policy. Successive sections (1) outline the report's content & recommendations, (2) examine the correspondence of adolescent development & middle school pedagogy, (3) investigate the fit between adolescent cognitive & psychosocial development & assessment programs, (4) explore adolescents' needs for health-related information & services & whether they are being met, & (5) propose expanding educational services beyond their traditional boundaries. Overall, findings support the Carnegie Report. Reference is made to extant experimental programs that have shown their potential in reducing adolescent drug abuse, school failure & dropout rates, emotional difficulties, work force unpreparedness, welfare dependence, & related difficulties. 1 Table, 1 Figure, 25 References. F. Shephard