This final report discusses the activities and outcomes of Partners Plus: Families and Caregivers in Partnerships, a model demonstration project designed to expand respite care options for families of children (birth to 8 years old) with disabilities. The program uses a natural and family-centered model that involves families in the design,…

Noting that parents are as important to children's success as teachers, this book suggests ways busy parents can support their children's learning. Chapter 1, "What's a Time-Starved Parent To Do?" discusses the demands on parents' free time, the child's role in learning, the parent's role in helping children learn, and the importance of parent…

The world of school has changed dramatically in the last two generations, for many reasons, including cultural and linguistic diversity; great changes in family lifestyles; wide disparities in funding for schools; the prevalence of preschool education; and new educational practices for children with disabilities. Noting that the requirements of…

The report evaluates the sixth year of an Illinois Chapter One Special Alternative Instructional Program for limited-English-proficient (LEP) students entering grades 4-6, designed to develop students' English language skills and academic skills in mathematics and science, increase professional development opportunities and instructional…

This paper reviews the literature on campus climate as it relates to gaps in participation rates and attainment levels among White, African American, and Latino students. The paper cites reports noting that a large number of African American students perceive racism as a problem on campus, and that a majority perceive themselves to be potential…

This collection of three issues focuses on competencies for teachers of learners who are deaf-blind, living with deaf-blindness, and resources in Australia for parents and families of students who are deaf-blind. Articles include: (1) "Research-to-Practice Focus: Competencies for Teachers of Learners Who Are Deafblind" (Marianne Riggio),…

This final report discusses the activities and outcomes of a 4-year federally funded project designed to provide effective practices in the delivery of educational services to Pennsylvania children and youth with deafblindness from birth through 21 years of age and to their families and service providers. Outcomes of the project included: (1)…

This paper reports on an experimental multimedia project in a preservice teacher education course at the University of Guam. The multimedia project was aligned with the critical pedagogy in cultivating transformative intellectuals. Participants of the project investigated critical issues in their communities and presented their projects by using a…

Objective: To determine if a relationship exists between participation in a school breakfast program and measures of psychosocial and academic functioning in school-aged children. Methods: Information on participation in a school breakfast program, school record data, and in-depth interviews with parents and children were collected in 1 public…

This report summarizes evaluation results of some of Austin Independent School District's (AISD's) efforts to involve parents and community members during 2002-2003.

Describes the role of evaluation in the development and ongoing improvement of a program to prepare Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The teachers' voices presented here suggest the importance of considering their contributions in refining and improving teacher preparation programs. Implications for ongoing program…

This paper emphasizes the relationships between middle school science, social studies, and service learning, showing how service learning supports many national science and social studies content standards. Positive results from research on the National Science Foundation service learning project are included. (SM)

Suggests involving parents more fully in their child's reading, by sending books from school to be shared at home. Describes a program that groups several books by theme or author in a backpack, along with a book for parents, a response notebook, and inventory card. Suggests funding sources and management concerns for such a program, and includes…

Presents a teacher's guide for use in conjunction with the Washington, DC, public television station (WETA) four-part television series, "Vote for Me." The series provides a behind-the-scenes look at political factions, and local elections. The Teachers Guide includes program descriptions, previewing, postviewing, and discussion…

Advocates utilizing an issues-centered approach to teaching controversial political issues in social studies classrooms. Recommends augmenting this approach with the development of a democratic classroom where student views are encouraged and considered. Identifies useful techniques for this approach, including debates, simulations, discussions,…