In this study, treatment focused on parenting practices for a 4 1/2-year-old girl with a visual impairment caused by Leber's congenital amaurosis and problems initiating and maintaining sleep. The sleep problem was effectively treated with a behavioral intervention consisting of parental support and the use of a graduated extinction procedure.…

The effects of a cooperative learning program on the social acceptance of 51 children (ages 6-7) with moderate to severe mental retardation by children without disabilities were examined. Children without disabilities in the cooperative learning program gave the children with disabilities higher peer acceptance ratings, greater popularity indices,…

Twenty preschoolers with impairments in both morphosyntax and phonology were assigned to an intervention of two 12-week blocks beginning with either a block of phonology first (n=10) or a block of morphosyntax first (n=10). Both interventions were effective. The morphosyntax first sequence led to slightly better overall morphosyntactic…

This year-long qualitative study explored how a literature-based literacy curriculum supported literacy growth of ESL kindergartners in a full-day Portuguese-English bilingual program. Findings indicated that emphasizing phonics and construction of meaning from texts supported children's construction of literacy understandings. Limited oral…

Discusses the use of an optional computer graphics laboratory that has been successful with at-risk elementary school students. The role of art with at-risk students is discussed, laboratory facilities are described, the interaction of students from different grade levels is discussed, and program effectiveness is assessed. (three references) (LRW)

Effective programs for culturally diverse groups preserve cultural distinctiveness, accommodate preferred learning strategies and environments, use existing social networks, empower learners, emphasize lifelong learning, support family involvement, reach the most disenfranchised people, obtain creative financing, and develop the cultural…

Students (N=4,466) in 56 schools participated in 3-year study on effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral approach to substance abuse prevention. Students who received at least 60 percent of prevention program (N=3,684) were included in analyses of program effectiveness. Significant prevention effects were found for cigarette smoking, marijuana use,…

Reviews efforts to prevent sexual abuse of children. Discusses the nature of sexual abuse and what an understanding of that nature implies for programs to prevent sexual abuse of children. Summarizes the research on sexual abuse prevention programs. Outlines major policy implications of this research. (JS)

Reviews retention research and examines programs that use freshman orientation courses and student leadership development as components in aiding retention. Concludes that overall awareness of university and its resources and integration into academic and social aspects of college life seem to be key factors in student retention. (Author/ABL)

More public institutions are now required to assess student learning outcomes. A look at Virginia and New Jersey shows these requirements vary, but mandated assessment may not produce needed improvements. Inadequate assessment methodologies, faculty resistance, and a lack of clarity about the use of results make this movement uncertain.…

Argues that writing centers can unintentionally emphasize writing-for-evaluation at the expense of writing-for-learning. Proposes that writing centers help students write productive journal entries; coach students in freewriting; appeal directly to students in writing-for-learning courses; and sponsor ongoing faculty education in…

Examined is the possibility of applying industrial principles of quality assurance to engineering education. Describes an industrial quality assurance model emphasizing the assessment criteria of the quality of performance and capability. (YP)

Now in its eighteenth year, an alternative public high school in New York City located on a college campus and aimed at potential dropouts and high-risk adolescents, Middle College has an exemplary retention rate and is being replicated across the country. (MSE)

The effectiveness of a model vocational-special education cooperative for mildly handicapped learners is examined by comparison of occupationally related outcome measures of pre- and post-intervention graduates. (MSE)

Presents evidence that high-quality early childhood programs can partially offset negative effects of childhood poverty and produce modest but definite benefits in children's education and early adult socioeconomic experience. Contrasts different types of early childhood programs and favors those focusing on child-initiated learning. (RH)