Responses from 390 of the 704 graduates of the University of Southern California's School of Gerontology 1976-1885 indicated (1) 51% were employed full time in the field; (2) 58% earned over $40,000; (3) 68% were very satisfied with their jobs; and (4) 64% found their coursework useful. Master's graduates were significantly more likely than…

A content analysis of 53 books that have won the Newbery Medal for Adolescent Literature was carried out to determine what images of older people are presented through these books. The analysis disclosed while older people are adequately represented numerically, they are underdeveloped and consistently given peripheral roles within the plot.…

Educational gerontology, a recently developed field of study, includes three components: (1) educational endeavors for older adults to modify attitudes and behaviors; (2) public education abut aging that will improve attitudes towards older people; (3) education training for professionals and practitioners for work in the field. Recommendations…

A 1985 survey by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education and the Andrus Gerontology Center at the University of Southern California indicates that the number of campuses offering at least one credit course in gerontology has nearly doubled in the past 9 years. Courses are now available at most large campuses and are evenly distributed…

Identifies roles of the gerontologist and conceptualizes the field to add clarity and understanding to the complex array of contemporary events. Topics include a brief description of the background that produced educational gerontology; a definition and clarification of the term; and identification of current and future roles for educational…

Reviews current knowledge on the encouragements and constraints affecting educational participation of older people. Reports the finding from a study of active older participants that content and sponsorship are the most important reasons for educational participation. (Author)

Suggests cognitive style as a conceptual approach to older adult instruction. Summarizes data on younger learners obtained through this approach. Results of initial research indicated older adults prefer the field-dependent cognitive approach to content and methodology. Implications for elderly education are discussed. (RC)

Studies documenting the lack of adequate gerontology training among professionals led to development of a model involving indepth reeducation to develop expertise and a systematic hierarchy of interdisciplinary experiences in aging that builds on the core foundation. (SK)

Responses from 2,121 of 3,200 professionals employed in aging indicated they used substantial aging-specific knowledge in the areas of health, program planning and policy, and services. All 14 knowledge items were used daily by 30%; some were used by as many as 70-80%. (SK)