I enjoyed reading your insightful qualifying paper. I wanted to say that your supportive bibliography, as noted within the report, represents a timely and varying representation of the current research domain. In addition, your aspiration of “teachers [being] able to efficiently meet the needs of all students” is admirable. I also found your supportive facts of an “estimated 1.5 million new teachers expected to be hired over the course of the next 10 years” alarmingly supportive of your proposed investigation. 

I was wondering when you wrote: “traditional methods of teacher preparation are being criticized by accreditation groups and policy makers who are calling for the reevaluation of teacher education programs and the students,” What specifically makes this time period different than past pressures to reform education? Much of the negative social, financial and other demands have a long history in American education. Is our time that different, are we calling the same old problems by new names, economic disparity, over worked and damaged family systems, poor government oversight? I am not certain when reading how teacher education is dramatically different now.  

I also thought your focus on filed placement is fantastic. In my own experience, this is academically a no-man’s-land regarding quality and assessment of using practical and ethical standards. I congratulate you for taking this onto your shoulders. 

Finally, I thought your definition section was very strong. I look forward to continuing to read more from you. JD

You have chosen to attack a huge research topic. I admire your desire to foster change with such a socially, instructionally and politically charged topic. As you would know more than anyone, your questions concerning the creation of a curriculum for parole officers. 

I am wondering about a few things that remain unclear to me after reading your report. For instance, are you planning a series of independent or interdependent courses? Is there any current adult education programs available to your population? And, of course, Is there some hierarchy of educational needs that have been previously established for this population based on type of imprisonment system, jail vs. prison vs penitentiary system? 

Finally, my major interest after reading your text asked: Is there an established core skill need by parole officers? In other words, is there a generalizable level of cognitive, social, organizational, emotional skills need by all parole officers working in urban or rural areas? The idea of core skill investigation and the creating a class sequence seems to be one possible outcome due to your research. I am interested in watching it develop over time. Best JD

I tend to write in chunks, so my Draft QP is comprised of the introductory material and then a later section from the actual review of the literature.  I usually write the introductory piece last, but I have created a draft introduction to set the stage for my QP, so I am open to any ideas about better ways to launch the QP.  Here is the general proposed structure:

I.    Introduction (partial draft in following paper)

II.      Agency Research

III.      Identity: A Path to Agency

IV.      Strategic Leadership: An Expression of Agency (partial draft in following paper)

V.        New Directions & Challenges: A Threat to Agency

VI.         Conclusions

I am reading your first paragraph, where you note: “Identity formation does not happen in a straight line … .” I am wondering if you are going to address a specific step or time period in human development. I am aware you are using Erikson’s work. Therefore, are you considering the emotional as well as chronical age, which most likely will differ?  RE: Ones emotional age is often different than one’s biological age due to developmental gaps. This is an exciting topic for me, by the way. This can be viewed from so m any different perspectives, depending on your research. I also, think the findings will have generalizability into other scientific domains as well. This would include: social psychology, organizational development and learning, psychology, cultural communication and more. 

I just crossed the line in your paper: “Even more worrisome is that 50 years later, defensive adjustment remains relevant and the promotion of White identity continues to be the benchmark.” I am wondering if you mean the benchmark is the formation of the White identity or the internalization of shame due to the oppressive White identity?  One is an external and one is an internal focus. Perhaps you mean both: The internalization of oppression and externalization of White standards of personal identity? 

B, you noted that Erikson originated identity formation. I think the concept began with Freud, approximately 1893.  Erikson, a student of Freud’s, was the originator who added a social constructionist perspective into human development. Also, as you note all the other mediating variables, such as culture, biology, etc. Whereas, Freud addressed universal stages of development based on internal factors. 

I really like your observation: “…when one realizes that the person they imagine themselves to be is not those around them believe they are.” This brings in the ideas addressing boundaries, defenses and transformation. My question is: How does a person know when they are at a boundary? I find this helpful when working with people and investigating development issuers. My answer regarding knowing your boundaries happens when you have a moderate to intense emotional reaction to another. An emotional response happens at our boundaries. When discussing our emotions, we are also discussing our boundaries.  Let me know your thoughts 

You noted that the first publication of cultural competency was in 1989. I know people who have their PhD in Cultural Communication from the 1970s. I think that the topics are different. However, I am wondering what you mean by competency. Perhaps, this is too early in the paper to make this assertion, but I am wondering about it, now, that you have presented it up front. 

Your review of nursing and a secondary cultural competency model. I find your investigation very informative and interesting. In my own work, for instance, the ideas of culture and psychology have complex and varying mediating variables that need to be considered. You seem to have covered the psychological, cultural, interpersonal and independent differences that address this complex subject. Not only that, you also have addressed those who are not directly involved in medical care, such as those health care workers in the allied health arena. The models seem to provide you with the needed insight to guide your study. I look forward to reading more. JD

The article calls on new leadership to address these social, cultural, professional and educational concerns. The authors go on to stress the need for occupational therapy profession address this on an international level. Along with that, the writers ask for discussion and debate on how to best approach the topic in practice. Definitions related to such subjects as social justice, occupational justice and others are given to aid leaders in practice. 

I would think that these and other terms added in this report and suggested texts in the article, will aid your own investigation. As the report notes and I observe after reading your paper, “these different definitions for health disparities, health inequities and so fourth eill aid in your review of the literature, assessing it’s strength associated with your intent to address policy, assessment and educational intervention models. 

The report’s international perspective, using respected organizations such as the World Health Organization, added to the report’s strength. It was interesting tha note that have only focused on three primary issues in the last decade: health care, health status and quality of care. This totally elevated the issue of social justice, where the US is today when addressing medical care and access. 

The overview for future occupational research also supported your current investigation I look forward to reading more on your important work. JD