Educational researchers have defined self-determination in different ways and from different perspectives. Yet there are common threads that run through these definitions in that they focus on personal control and freedom to choose. The working definition of self-determination used in the Wayne State University self-determination projects is the “ability to identify and achieve goals based on a foundation of knowing and valuing oneself.” (Field & Hoffman, 1994, p. 164) This definition is operationalized through the following model. (Click on image for larger view. You will need Acrobat Reader to view the document.)