The rights of hospital/homebound children under P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) are considered, and a model in which service is delivered through a full-time instructor whose sole job responsibility is teaching students in homes and hospitals during school hours is seen to be most favorable. Other delivery alternatives…

Research entered into the ERIC system in the 1980s strongly endorses supplementary home instruction as a way for parents to improve their children's chances of success in school. At children's earliest ages, parents seem most successful when provided with information on child development and activities useful at certain stages of children's…

This study identifies and assesses the potential impact of new electronic technologies on education in private homes, and looks beyond immediate incremental changes to broader, more subtle, complex, or threatening changes that may require attention from federal policymakers. Some educational implications are discussed: (1) equality of access to…

This paper provides an overview of educational materials available for parents to use in facilitating their children's learning. The primary focus is on developing parental support systems which extend learning into the home through creative and effective use of materials. General considerations such as the larger social context of the learning…

Research suggests that children should be kept at home until 8 to 12 years old, then begin attending school. Attitudes toward parents, peers, and school can be improved and children can learn more effectively when taught physically, academically, and socially at home in their early years. (PGD)

Two brief fact sheets for families of children with disabilities provide information on: (1) advocacy and resources in augmentative communication, and (2) ways to make using augmentative communication devices fun for young children. The first fact sheet defines three types of advocacy (individual advocacy, system advocacy, and public awareness)…

A look at Australia's educational history gives insight into a proposal for a domestic communications satellite for use as an educational tool. The country's earliest and most successful distance education programs used itinerant teachers and "tent schools." In 1922, a national correspondence education program was adopted. Correspondence…

Education programs for 4-year-olds may offer unique opportunities for the growth of services for young children. Currently, the role of state departments of education in preschool instruction is evolving; no single approach to public school programming for 4-year-olds exists. Approximately two-thirds of the 28 state and District of Columbia early…

Evaluates the Portage Guide to Early Education, making recommendations for its future development. Reviews outcome studies that provide evidence of developmental acceleration for mildly delayed children. Argues that a wider range of dependent variables must be considered to accurately assess Portage's impact on both child and family. (JD)

Examines reading habits of Estonians with studies dating back to the 1960s and discusses the impact of the printed word on culture. Focuses on changes since the Estonian's transition to the market economy: (1) reading has become casual and less frequent; (2) literary preferences have shifted; and (3) smaller home libraries have increased the need…

Experience in Scotland shows that telephone tuition can be an effective means to bring remote students and tutors into direct contact. One-to-one tuition, conference call tuition, and loud-speaker tuition are discussed. Limitations and advantages of this medium are noted, and development across the United Kingdom is advocated. (AF)

Research on early childhood education, child development, and school readiness is used to support the argument that formal schooling for children under 8 or 10 years old is less desirable than home-based instruction. Research on neurophysiology, social-emotional development, cognitive development, school entrance age, parental potential, and other…

Recommends implementing specialized preparation for rural preschool teachers to function effectively as distance educators. Addresses differences between urban and rural environments affecting education; the important role of parents as educators in distance education; and the need for distance education preschool teachers to reconceptualize their…

Reviews the development of home schooling and compulsory education, explores how special education law is interpreted within the framework of home-based education, summarizes state laws that affect home schooling and special education services in rural Minnesota and North Dakota, and summarizes litigation involving home-schooling and special needs…

The two mini reviews and two fact sheets contained in this collection synthesize basic information regarding four issues in rural education: special education, transportation, early childhood education, and reading achievement. Solutions to the special education problems of child identification, parent involvement, delivery of special education…