This article examines the historical literacy experiences and current literacy practices of the parents of one working class family as they shape the literacy learning of their four-year-old daughter. Data collected from field notes, observations, and videotaped interviews of the parents and daughter were analyzed and events sorted into categories…

First grade is a special place where children learn many things, and learning is increased when home and school work together in a friendly partnership. This guide provides parents and children weekly home activities through the year to enhance children's eagerness to learn. Suggested activities--which were carefully chosen by representative…

American parents who are trying to rear their children in responsible ways do so in the face of peer influences that may be at odds with the parents' values. This report examines some of the findings of the 1993 National Household Education Survey (NHES) to show how families and students' peers sometimes work at cross-purposes. Specifically…

Many observers of educational policy feel that in the rush to devolve responsibility, difficult questions about the capacity of states and localities to be accountable for results are being overlooked. This document describes the different strategies used by 10 states to move toward a results-oriented system of services, supports, and…

Research from around the world confirms the strong relationship between home environments and children's school learning. This handbook describes the changes that have been occurring in society and the implications of these changes for the family's relationship with the school. It reviews studies that examined the relationships between the home…

This report examines alternatives to state-sponsored child care disregards, which allow working low-income families to offset child care expenses against earned income, thereby receiving higher Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) payments than they might otherwise obtain. It explains the need for continuous, stable child care for…

This report presents results of a nationally representative longitudinal study of nearly 3,400 workers. The study investigated the work and personal/family lives of workers, particularly with respect to recent rapid changes in the economy, layoffs, and downsizing. The study was conducted through a series of hour-long phone interviews. The study…

This study examined techniques which facilitate children's separation from their mothers and their move into a novel situation. Subjects were 32 male and 32 female 40- to 48-month-old children. Some children were visited in their homes the night before the experiment. Subjects remained with their mothers in a waiting room for 10 minutes. A…

An era of substantial growth in investment of resources, program development, and research has led to tangible gains in the scope and quality of early childhood education programs. However, the system of early childhood education programs is plagued by unequal access and inconsistent, inadequate levels of quality. Additionally, the focus of…

The administration and funding of early childhood education programs has been the focus of recent policy debates. This volume is the second report of three, which are derived from a study that examined how local organizations implement complex government programs for early childhood education. The study analyzed and documented significant local…

The administration and funding of early childhood education programs has engendered recent federal policy debates. This volume is the third report in a series of three, which are derived from a study that examined how local organizations implement complex government programs for early childhood education. The study analyzed and documented…

Genuine educational reform depends on developing relationships with the home, community groups, politicians, and the business community (Seeley, 1981). This volume is the first of three volumes that are products of a 3.5 year study of education reform, with a focus on the role of parent, family, and community involvement in the middle grades. The…

This study examined the relationship between Indian women's work and breastfeeding, focusing on the constraints imposed by combining work with breastfeeding, the strategies women used, and the support they received. A non-probability convenience sample of 969 mothers of infants 1 year or younger (34 percent from rural areas) was used. Four areas…

The 1995 National Teacher of the Year, Elaine Griffin, teaches on Kodiak Island, Alaska. Her experiences reinforce her belief in the importance of strong school-community ties and close relationships between teachers and families. Shared staffing in this remote rural environment has allowed the teachers time away for travel and other experiences.…

The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and skills of teachers as they relate to school safety. Survey participants included 130 elementary and secondary school teachers enrolled in the Educational Administration Program at National University in San Diego (California). Areas covered included: knowledge of legal and professional…