The Family Income Standard (FIS), developed in Arkansas as a more adequate measure of families' economic well-being than the widely-criticized Federal Poverty Level (FPL), is defined as the amount of money a working family must earn to meet its daily living needs without assistance from charities. This report details the effort to update and…

This collection of papers asserts that the life prospects of children at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder can be improved substantially, and the growing gap between them and more privileged children reduced, by making appropriate investments now. After an introduction by Isabel V. Sawhill, the nine papers are: (2) "Promoting the Healthy…

This study investigated the educational circumstances of Aboriginal students in inner city high schools in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It is based on a literature review and interviews with Aboriginal high school students, Aboriginal school dropouts, adult members of the Aboriginal community, and teachers. Results indicate that there is a…

This workbook for elementary school teachers is designed to help make their first few weeks of school successful. It provides lesson plans, classroom management strategies, student assessments, and special aids for teaching bilingual students. After an "Introduction" that discusses the ups and downs of a first-year teacher, there are nine…

This manual covers thirteen different topics relevant to the education of students with disabilities in the era of educational reform and standards-based education. Sections include: (1) "Raising Standards of Learning: and Students with and Standards-Based Education Students with Disabilities" (Janet R. Vohs, Julia K. Landau, and Carolyn…

Although Zimbabwe has shown a strong commitment to improving educational access and quality, overall enrollment figures conceal major regional disparities and the lack of education and services in marginalized communities. One neglected sector of the population is the commercial farmworker community, currently comprising about two million hired…

This study of the classroom practice of an elementary school teacher of Aboriginal students in Western Australia demonstrates the way in which teacher intentions are hindered by the sociopolitical context of the school. The teacher had been identified by the school as a successful teacher of Indigenous students and was accepted by Aboriginal…

Keeping children safe in foster care is a critical concern for foster parents and the professionals working with them. This document is comprised of a set of four pamphlets, addressed to foster families and those working with foster families, providing information on medication safety, making foster care placements successful, working with social…

Based on findings from public opinion polls, focus groups, and related academic research, this report explores the challenges facing child advocates in framing issues for public debate. Examining the growing public sentiment supporting governmental involvement in children's issues and general perceptions regarding the causes of current problems,…

A study examining child care services in rural and remote areas conducted focus group interviews and distributed questionnaires to parents living in 15 towns in the Mallee region of Western Victoria (Australia). Barriers to accessing child care in rural areas included limited availability of formal services, costs, stereotypes associated with life…

This document consists of 47 consecutive issues of the "Parent and Preschooler Newsletter." This newsletter is variously subtitled "A Monthly Exploration of Early Childhood Topics" and "An International Resource for Professionals and Parents." Regularly appearing features are: "Library…

Disorganized attachment relationships were first formally identified on the basis of the anomalous behavior of some infants during laboratory separations and reunions with the parent. This book presents new research and theory on the topic of attachment disorganization, an area of investigation that is of increasing importance in the study of…

This booklet presents information gathered at the November 1997 conference conducted by the National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education in cooperation with EduTech, Ltd. The conference brought together educators, social workers, health professionals, researchers, teen parents, grandparents, government officials, and others…

This ERIC digest provides highlights of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (P.L. 105-17). Changes to general provisions of the law are explained, as well as changes in other areas, such as outcomes and standards, evaluations and curriculum, procedural safeguards, discipline, early intervention, and teacher training…

This report examines trends in college student tuition and fees for the year 1998-99, at public four-year colleges and universities, as well as trend data for the period beginning 1998-90. The report notes that while tuition and fee increases are near their lowest point in more than a decade, they remain above the rate of inflation, with average…