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…

Noting that the need for basic skills education among the current labor force cannot be easily met by vocational training alone, this booklet presents the case for family literacy education to improve the skills of unemployed workers and describes the work of the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL). Family literacy is defined as having four…

The state of Washington implemented the Readiness to Learn program as part of the state's Family Policy Initiative. The primary goal of the program is to serve as a formal link between education and human services by authorizing grants to local school-linked, community-based consortia to develop and implement strategies that ensure children arrive…

Many children today are entering classrooms without the ability to interact effectively with others; this is often the result of inexperience with social settings. Without proper guidance, these children may become aggressive and disruptive, and are at risk for low self- esteem, poor mental health, dropping out of school, low achievement, poor…

Noting studies showing a critical link between students' relation to the school environment and their academic performance, attendance, attitudes, motivation, and post-high school success, particularly for at-risk students, this guide compiles widely recognized strategies to develop students' sense of connection to their school environment. The…

This phenomenological study implemented and evaluated an individualized approach to multiple intelligence instruction. The targeted population consisted of students in two inner-city elementary schools located in Indiana. In a traditionally book-oriented classroom, instruction is typically geared toward the verbal/linguistic and…

This action research project evaluated the impact of strategies to increase parental involvement and improve student interest in academics and school-related activities. Participating were students in an eighth grade social studies class and third through seventh grade learning disabilities classes in a rural school setting. The need for increased…

This paper describes a program designed to increase student motivation to complete homework assignments. The targeted population consisted of 3rd, 4th, 9th, and 10th grade students attending schools in the Midwest. Analysis of probable cause data reveals that parental involvement can be insufficient and misdirected. Homework can lack relevance to…

This study examined the adaptation of institutions of higher education in the United States and Europe to changing socioeconomic factors and proposed a theory of adaptation in higher education which stresses the need for new forms of governance, management, and leadership structures. The study analyzed six university structures, each with a…

Rural areas around the world face problems stemming from the globalization of agricultural and other markets, the resulting competitiveness for existing and shifting markets, loss of population, and consequent decline of economic and social infrastructure. Rural communities need to develop the ability to manage change, and this requires engaging…

Over the past decade, preschool initiatives, reading reform, and class size reduction efforts have helped focus attention on improving education at the elementary school level. Policy attention has also been paid to middle schools as educators have tried to figure out how best to reach students who are no longer children, but not yet adults.…

Don Shalvey (former superintendent of the San Carlos, California school district) believes strongly that every kid in California deserves a great education. This belief led him in 1993 to found the first charter school (an independently-run public school) in California. Shalvey's first charter school attracted a great deal of attention, and soon…

Discusses the relationship between academic standards and society, providing evidence of a decline in these standards in American schools. Also discusses social implications of a lack of scientific literacy and proposes a strategy for change. Teacher certification and political action as change agents are considered. (JM)

The creation and evolution of an internal medicine clerkship in three large teaching hospitals undergoing transition from affiliated hospitals to the university hospitals of a new medical school, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, is summarized. (Author/MLW)

Specific student attitude problems in compulsory language courses are described and solutions to them are presented, including first-day pep talks, teacher approval and positive attitudes, use of interesting topics, props, provision for student creativity, skillful use of questioning, and use of novelty. (MSE)