Assesses the state of social work education and makes suggestions for improvement including distinguishing between specialized and professional knowledge courses; teaching interpersonal skills for working with organizations and communities; differentiating subventionary and instrumental interventions; reformulating course content on policy and…

This study describes current provincial/territorial responses to behaviorally disordered students in Canada, comparing this perspective to a 1981 study. Topics examined include definition, prevalence, services available, standards, mainstreaming, program effectiveness, funding, and teacher training requirements. Recommended actions by…

The use of crack during pregnancy is producing tens of thousands of blameless children each year who, by biology and environment, are impaired. Describes the effects of crack on children and what can be done for crack-smoking mothers-to-be. Offers suggestions to school boards for providing a structured supportive learning environment for these…

This article describes the content and design of a model program to prepare social work students to work effectively with severely mentally disturbed children and adolescents. Task analysis of skill areas (assessment, intervention, case management, and critical thinking) informed development of the suggested curriculum. The training program design…

Literature is reviewed on the effects of genetic and environmental contributions to children's intellectual functioning and the effects of preventive intervention on intellectual outcomes for high-risk children. Longitudinal case studies of two socioeconomically disadvantaged mothers with cognitive deficits are examined, along with interventions…

This reaction paper offers evidence for the effectiveness of nondirective instructional models with special needs young children. The construct of "developmentally appropriate practice" is viewed as a working hypothesis and as a continuous variable, not a dichotomous variable. Relationships between early childhood education and early childhood…

Presents testimony by representatives from several federal agencies and one national organization (W. S. Cohen, C. Levin, P. Vidmar, J. M. McGinnis, L. J. Kolbe, B. J. Nelsen, D. Ravitch, and M. Corry). (SM)

Maintains that parents of a handicapped child, for example, a child with cerebral palsy, are "walking a tightrope." Successful intervention with the disabled child in the classroom is possible only when there is strong teacher-parent communication. This position is illustrated by an account of a parent's personal experience. (BB)

A survey of 175 speech-language pathologists was conducted to determine the preparation they received to comply with Public Law 99-457's mandated services to infants and toddlers. Respondents reported that important content areas in provision of early intervention services included oral-motor/feeding issues, family assessment and intervention, and…

The Home Kit/Home Visit Program--designed for children needing reinforcement of basic concepts and knowledge of colors, shapes, numbers, letter recognition, and letter-sound correspondence--is proving successful in encouraging parent involvement in first-graders' learning of basic skills. Parents are provided with home learning kits to guide their…

The school reentry of students with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is discussed, focusing on federal legislation requirements, TBI characteristics, assessment methods, the range of services that need to be considered, problems affecting students' academic and social functioning, need for a school team approach, schedule for reintegration planning,…

Five families participating in the Vermont Rural Autism Project (VT-RAP) assessment process were interviewed. An overall theme of shifting attitudes emerged as well as 3 sub-themes: getting enrolled, becoming friends, and empowerment and transformation. All parents reported having a unique and meaningful experience of involvement in their child's…

Article describes a substance-abuse prevention program, Four-Fold Prevention, designed to specifically focus on four primary areas of social support-parents, schools, communities, and peers. This program enhances positive and supportive relationships among children and influencing adults and peers by opening the lines of communication about…

Reform efforts to improve educational quality and outcomes in public schools in the last decade have focused on improving curricula and teaching methods, with outcomes being gauged by demonstration of improved math and reading scores. This article suggests that outcomes must be assessed for improved outcomes in mental health and classroom…

Provides an overview of the series of articles and an overview of the historical context of previous theory-based models for career guidance in schools. Argues that school to work is not an intellectual strategy but an economic and political strategy that needs to be examined carefully, especially in relation to students' career needs and…