This paper compares bilingual education policy and practice in Panama and the United States. Particular issues studied include the following: the social context of bilingual education in the two countries; programming and policy differences; teacher qualifications; availability of age-appropriate materials; and administrative support, level of…

The CASASTART Field Guide is the result of 9 years of research, experience, and evaluation in cities where the program has enhanced the capacity of communities to serve high-risk youth through formal partnerships that reduce their use of drugs and alcohol and promote their positive development. The Field Guide is a practical "how to" manual on…

This brief for parents discusses the transition of students with disabilities from the structured environment of school to the post-school world and transition requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1997. It begins by explaining the importance of transition planning and decision-making and the need for…

The Illinois Early Learning Project (IEL) is funded by the Illinois State Board of Education to provide information resources on early learning and training related to implementing the Illinois Early Learning Standards for parents and for early childhood personnel in all settings. The IEL tip sheets offer suggestions to parents and early childhood…

This document consists of 10 monthly newsletter issues, in English- and Spanish-language versions, exploring topics related to early childhood behavior and parenting. Regularly appearing features include book recommendations, "Library Resources,""Preschoolers in the Kitchen,""Kids Crafts,""Research News," and "The Health Corner." Major topics of…

Although the Israeli kibbutz system of communally organized childcare has been the focus of considerable research with respect to developmental outcomes, relatively few studies have examined the kibbutz from a parenting perspective. This study compared perceived supports for parenting reported by 19 kibbutz mothers with those reported by 18 urban…

Noting that the American public's concern for children is shaped by complicated and sometimes conflicting beliefs about family life, this paper examines the policy debates surrounding child care, early childhood development, family leave, and children's health insurance, and analyzes how well advocates have adapted to the new realities. Part 1 of…

These guidelines address issues in the application of traditional Alaska Native child-rearing and parenting practices to nurture culturally healthy youth in the contemporary world. Guidelines are organized around each of several roles related to child rearing: Native Elders, as tradition-bearers and essential role models; parents, who are the…

These guidelines offer suggestions for strengthening Alaska's indigenous languages. The guidelines aim to provide assistance to the local language advisory committees created under Senate Bill 103, that are responsible for making recommendations about the future of the heritage language in their community. The underlying theme is that heritage…

This study examined home and classroom support for early mathematical development. Teachers and parents of preschool children completed questionnaires evaluating young children's readiness for school mathematics. Teachers were selected from licensed preschool programs and Head Start programs. Findings indicated that a minority of teachers and…

A survey examined the perceived roles and competencies of school personnel and parents involved in the transition planning process for special education students, and compared these perceptions in rural and nonrural areas. The study took place in two parts: first, a field study validated the questions in the survey instrument; second, the survey…

Some of the things parents can do to prepare Canadian high school students for success in college are outlined. Helping students prepare for a university education is very important at this time because of new job skill requirements, a potential shortage of university teachers in Canada that may reduce the number of students admitted to college,…

Until recently, fathers were the hidden parents in research on children's well-being. Research stimulated by the new interest in fathers suggests that fathers' involvement in their children's schools does make a difference in their children's education. Using data from the 1996 National Household Education Survey (NHES:96), this Digest looks at…

Noting the important role that parents can play in preparing their child to learn to read, the Read, Educate and Develop Youth (READY) Reading Plan for Michigan provides kits to parents of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The kits contain suggestions for age-appropriate activities parents can do with their children to help them learn. In…

Commonly, when parents attempt to talk to their teenagers about school, the response is short and uninformative. Adults, whether teachers or family members, have taken this resistance as a sign of rejection. However, research in this field shows that, in fact, teenagers do want to interact with their parents, as well as other adults, and have them…