Provides an overview of initial evaluative findings from a central component of a statewide, large-scale educational reform initiative, the Kentucky Family Resource and Youth Service Centers. Describes goals and strategies of the evaluation, with discussion of particular challenges this program presents for educators. Provides summary of…

Stresses the importance of understanding the world views of diverse cultural groups and acknowledging differences in communication styles and patterns when planning transitional services for disabled minority students in rural areas. Includes suggestions for effective transition planning for culturally diverse students and their families. (LP)

Discusses the historical role played by families in early intervention programs, and presents a rationale for current thinking about this role. Recommends practices that recognize and encourage family-directed early childhood education, care, and intervention services. Identifies additional resources. (BB)

Discusses parents' responses to open-ended questions about changes in early elementary programs initiated by the Kentucky Education Reform Act. Changes include ungraded primary programs and student progress reports to parents. (BB)

Discussion of performance technologists' contributions to improving public education highlights 10 essential components of an educational system, including family and community, business and industry, government agencies, and higher education. Implications of the systemic perspective for the professional development and training of performance…

Reports a longitudinal study of the link between home variables (mainly maternal support), cognitive prerequisites of preschoolers, and later school achievement (spelling, reading, and arithmetic). Maternal support significantly affected competencies and academic achievement. Cognitive competencies predicted later academic achievement; achievement…

Maintains that many early childhood educators are apt to practice nice thinking rather critical thinking when, in fact, the latter would clear their heads and inform practice. This position is supported by examples of teachers' uses of such terms as "home-school cooperation,""planning," and "curriculum." (BB)

Reviews and critiques past research that investigated the effects of various types of day-care provisions on the development of preschool children. Argues that, in view of the diversity of provisions offered in different countries, simple global generalizations about the effects of out-of-home preschool experiences on later development cannot be…

Behavior-disordered children account for major problems encountered in schools today. Researchers developed a comprehensive way of addressing child behavior problems by emphasizing school-home-community collaboration. The article presents a conceptual framework that describes the development of antisocial behavior and critical intervention points…

Draws on interviews of the 1920s and 1930s with Mexican immigrants to Los Angeles to illustrate the intergenerational conflicts that arose from immigrant children's acceptance of American values encountered in school and via the popular culture of films and fashion. Contains 27 references. (SV)

Analyzes the effects of gender and time of attendance on children's adjustment to English nursery classes attached to primary schools. Results show boys were perceived as less well adjusted to school than are girls. Afternoon attendees were found to be less well adjusted than morning attendees. Discusses strategies to help those who are less well…

Describes the literacy approach to learning at Cherry Valley Elementary School in Polson, Montana. Strategies include developmentally appropriate practices, child-centered activities, staff leadership teams, individualized reading enrichment, community partnerships, extensive family involvement, and staff development. Sidebar details the…

Examined effects of early parental employment on children, using data from National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Found that more work hours were associated with slightly lower cognitive development through age 9 and lower academic achievement before age 7, but not with behavior problems, compliance, or self-esteem. Early parental employment was…

Instead of inviting public engagement, the current educational system reinforces a hierarchical, bureaucratic pattern that gives neither students nor parents an official voice. Today's parents are demanding, more market-oriented, and organizing on the Internet. Strategies for fully involving parents in improvements for the common good are…

Describes the Baltimore (Maryland) School-Family-Community Partnership Program and the ways in which it provides urban school youth with greater support for avoiding maladaptive behaviors, supplies them with safe havens after school, and ensures that they travel to and from school without harm. Three schools that have successfully implemented this…