When parents divorce, they sometimes have questions about which parent has rights in special education. The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Minnesota state special education laws and regulations clearly describe parental rights and the school district's duty to meet them. Most rights are unchanged by divorce. The…

Noting that the death of a loved one brings grief to children as well as adults, this Digest draws on research to examine how children respond to death and the role of parents and teachers in helping children cope with loss. The Digest delineates children's "tasks" during mourning that are essential to their adjustment to loss, such as…

This issue of the quarterly newsletter, "PLAINTalk," is the third in a four part series, reprinting chapters from Sharon and Craig Ramey's book, "Going to School." This issue presents practical and useful techniques for parents covering the following topics: (1) What Is "Parent Involvement"?; (2) The Right Balance of "Parent Involvement"; (3) Why…

This brochure is written out of concern for the impact anti-gay prejudice and discrimination have on children--gay and straight. Although people have different views about homosexuality, most Americans believe that everyone should be treated fairly and with respect. American society has many kinds of families, and many people have neighbors,…

Over the summer, many children lose ground in the reading skills they are building at school. Weave reading into the family's summer, and children will go back to school refreshed, excited, and ready to pick up where he or she left off. Advice for parents and caregivers includes: seek out books and reading materials that tie into children's summer…

This report contains the recommendations of Colorado Governor Romer's Task Force on Parent Education and Involvement, a task force comprised of parents, advocates, and professionals charged with discussing the importance of parenting, the state's role in supporting parents, and the best lessons about the outcomes of parent education, support, and…

Questions about drug use are complex, and answers are not easy either. What parents ultimately choose as the best direction for their family should depend on the ages of the children, their personal values, and the kinds of relationships they have with their children. There are a number of alternatives parents can choose. This book presents a…

This study examined characteristics of never married fathers adjudicated in the Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan as legal and biological fathers. Participating were 39 fathers with Parenting Time Orders (PTO) and 25 with Reserved Parenting Time Orders (RPTO) (the father lacks legal parental access to his child). Sixty percent of the fathers were…

This book concentrates on ways in which families influence their children's careers, especially on the barriers families may wittingly or unwittingly construct on the children's path toward satisfying work lives. The book is divided into five parts, each of which builds upon the previous ones. The chapters in Part One define what hand-me-down…

Play is essential to children's healthy development and learning, and toys are the tools of children's play. Noting that parents are constantly faced with decisions about what toys to buy and what toys to avoid, this guide is intended to help parents promote their children's creative and constructive play by making informed choices about toys, and…

This report uses the 1979-1996 National Household Surveys on Drug Abuse to investigate the role of parents, especially members of the baby boom generation, on the marijuana use of children. The association of marijuana use between parents and children, the differences among parental birth cohorts, and the determinants of child marijuana use are…

Noting that from babyhood through the school years, children learn by observing and interacting with their parents, this book draws on nearly 40 years of combined professional experience to offer practical advice, explain proven strategies, and identify the fundamental skills parents need to encourage positive behavior without the need for…

This guide provides a framework and suggestions for strengthening the quality and impact of parenting education services in Even Start. It is aimed at Even Start state coordinators and local program administrators responsible for supporting and monitoring the quality of parenting education services in Even Start, and at local program staff…

Written by teachers who are also parents, this guide provides proven and practical advice to help parents of children from kindergarten through middle school be active supporters of their children's educational experiences. Issues covered include transition to school, latchkey issues, and talking with teachers. The tips are categorized as follows:…

This brochure for educators and parents discusses gifted children, creativity, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The overlapping symptoms of ADHD and creativity are identified, which include: inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, difficult temperament, deficient social skills, and academic underachievement. The possibility of…