This paper reviews research on the design and effectiveness of preschools in the United States. Three randomized controlled trials that enrolled roughly 350 total children in demonstration studies during the 1960s and 1970s shape much of the current discussion of preschool. We examine what these studies and more recent ones based on random…

This paper presents summaries of four articles relevant to school crisis response. The first article, "Peritraumatic Dissociation Predicts Posttraumatic Stress in Youth Following Accidents" summarized by Jim Matthews, suggests that peritraumatic dissociation is a powerful predictor of PTSD symptoms among youth who have been in a car…

Providing appropriate educational services to young children with autism may be one of the defining challenges of the 1990s and early 2000s for early childhood special education. The number of children with autism is increasing dramatically, the research literature is rich with evidence-based instructional strategies, and the Internet is even more…

The article examines acceleration methods for gifted girls and recommends a program of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. The program appears to have been effective in attracting gifted high school girls because it offers university courses within the high school as part of the regular school day. (Author/SW)

Presents conceptual framework for understanding problems encountered by dropouts in school-to-work transition; underlying assumption is that dropouts are likely to face strains in homes, jobs, and other community settings similar to those which led to their dropping out. Also discusses exemplary school and work programs for dropouts. (CMG)

In addition to the results of the survey, detailed descriptions of seven projects are provided along with suggestions for applied research and practices that can be readily adapted by other projects serving similar populations. Journal availability; see EC 133 846. (Author)

Data from questionnaires completed by 44 Child Service Demonstration Centers were analyzed, providing information on the number of children served, the definition of LD (learning disabilities) used, the kinds of assessment data collected and the purpose for which they were used, the specific assessment devices used to collect data and the purpose…

Visits to 62 effective elementary and middle schools in 14 states provided substantial evidence of what is right with American education. This article lists the characteristics of effective schools, then briefly cites exemplary programs and curricular features found in 14 schools or districts. (PGD)

The main rationale for defining two-parent families eligible for welfare was to keep families intact by eliminating an incentive for union dissolution. But there are other reasons for family instability, most notably women's reduced economic gain from marriage associated with having a chronically unemployed husband. This article explores the…

This article provides a brief introduction to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) including characteristics, incidence, current government programs, successful local programs, and implications for school administrators. (DB)

The concept and implementation of direction services, a one step center offering assistance to parents of handicapped children, are traced. Three basic functions of the federally funded direction service centers are noted: to help locate and provide access to the most appropriate resources for handicapped children and youth; to collect and…

The five diverse programs in this booklet met the American Federation of Teachers' criteria for effectiveness and replicability (criteria and search process are listed at the end of the booklet). While two of the five programs in the booklet can be used at either the elementary or secondary level, three are only for the elementary level. Before…

Trends in the education of the gifted handicapped student are briefly reviewed, three model projects funded by the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped (now the Office of Special Education) are described, and several devices to aid the gifted handicapped are pointed out. (SB)

The state of the art in involving parents in the education of their handicapped children is reviewed, and model program approaches for increasing their participation are described. Background aspects considered include research findings that demonstrate the importance of parent involvement, and a review of legislative mandates on the topic. The…

A preventive model is proposed to avoid special education through concentrated early intervention. Several operating programs are described as examples of the practicality of the approach. Issues including numbers of students who could be serviced by such a model and the ongoing role of special education alongside "neverstreaming" are…