These two newsletters focus on two issues concerning full inclusion for young children with disabilities: the debate over developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) in inclusive preschool classrooms, and optimal classroom environments for inclusive early childhood settings. The first newsletter includes: a review of three articles addressing DAP;…

Often, parents walk into their children's schools and feel as if they don't have a place to "hang their hats." This guide argues that districts should establish a school family center as a focus of activity and learning for parents, school supporters, and children. The goal of the family center is to provide an avenue for participation…

Public financing for education and an array of other children's services has become a topic of significant political concern. This toolkit is intended to assist state and local leaders, who are charged with writing bills and formulating legislative strategies, to create state/community partnerships that will facilitate the development of…

This instructional unit is aimed at Grade 4, limited-English-proficient (LEP) students in language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, music, art, physical education, and drama. It uses the California "Gold Rush" historical time period to teach students English language, concentrating on pre-production, early production, speech…

This report examines the Way to Grow (WTG) school readiness program, which is designed to promote healthy development and school readiness of Minnesota children from birth through age 6 by coordinating and improving access to community-based health, education, and social services. This pilot program began in fiscal year 1990 and was being…

This report examines the use of community-based support to facilitate curriculum renewal efforts in small rural school districts. Interviews with educators from five school districts in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington describe three approaches to curriculum renewal: community-initiated approaches, state-directed reform efforts, and…

This serial issue features articles on the theme of empowering people with disabilities. First, there is a message from the Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services' Assistant Secretary, Robert R. Davila. Next, "Empowerment: Dependence versus Independence," by Frank G. Bowe, stresses the need for…

A child born in Japan, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Singapore, or any of 12 other industrialized nations has a better chance of surviving his or her first year than does a child born in the United States. This is because too many babies are born too small, too many are born too soon, and too many mothers never get decent care…

This bulletin issue contains five papers on the theme of adults with mental illness who are parents of very young children. "Parents, Mental Illness, and the Primary Health Care of Infants and Young Children" (John N. Constantino) offers the experience of a trainee in a combined residency in pediatrics and psychiatry, focusing on…

This document contains a curriculum for training people with disabilities and parents of young children with disabilities to become community leaders. The curriculum contains highlights of nine topical areas, including: the history and future of services for people with developmental disabilities; the history and future of self-advocacy; inclusive…

This manual on the transition of young people with disabilities to adult life has 11 chapters. Chapter 1 provides post-school information from a national and state perspective including a review of the North Carolina Transition Project for Youth with Disabilities. Chapter 2 offers a history of transition and a discussion of federal legislation…

This guide draws on experience and lessons learned in a collaborative project between three adult education programs, the University of Massachusetts at Boston, the Boston Adult Literacy Fund to present a model for training immigrants and refugees as adult ESL and native language literacy instructors in their own communities. The model is…

This curriculum guide is intended for a high school senior seminar program in which students (gifted, talented, and of all abilities) progress through three main stages: (1) identifying a project; (2) identifying a mentor; and (3) completing the project. The guide includes lesson plans, suggested activities, organizational diagrams, suggested…

The purpose of this guide is to amplify the specific issues concerning substance abuse which Head Start grantees need to address, and to suggest resources and strategies to respond to these issues. The guide consists of five chapters, a bibliography, and two appendixes. An introduction (chapter I) discusses the problem of substance abuse and the…

This overview examines underlying precepts and components of family support programs. The role of the family in a child's resistance to alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse is discussed. Comprehensive prevention programs encompassing the family, school, and community have shown more promise in helping children avoid AOD abuse than programs that rely…