This study examined predictors of developmental outcomes in 17 young children diagnosed with autism or pervasive developmental disorder, who received generic treatment over an average of 37 months. Although children differed substantially in outcomes, these were not predicted by treatment intensity or other treatment variables although…

Examines Chesapeake (Virginia) Public Schools' successful Reading Recovery Program, asking whether it provides early intervention services to enough children and to those needing it most. Unfortunately, many first-graders who might benefit from Reading Recovery were not served. Only 43 percent of the lowest achieving children were selected.…

Studied the experiences of 178 juveniles targeted by the Truant Recovery Program, a collaborative and nonpunitive school-law enforcement effort in California. Findings suggest that intensive cooperation between school and police may be effective in identifying troubled youth. Findings also raise questions about appropriate school and justice…

Using 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth data (n=7,787), the relationship between Head Start and school suspensions, grade repetition, and math achievement was examined. Estimates indicate that Head Start does not have long-term benefits, a finding compatible with studies showing that compensatory preschool programs need to be long in…

Investigates whether or not specific indicators appear more frequently in the House-Tree-Person drawings of sex offenders when compared to drawings of a control group. The goal of the research is to explore the use of an art-based assessment as a tool for the early identification of sex offenders. (BF)

Reviews research and then describes five alternative strategies to social promotion and grade retention: Intensify learning, provide professional development to ensure skilled teachers, expand learning options, assess to inform teaching, and intervene early and often. (Contains 33 references.) (PKP)

Describes a comprehensive school literacy program for primary students and looks specifically at one component, Literacy Booster Groups. Notes that in Booster Groups, former Reading Recovery students receive extra support to maintain and extend literacy progress. Concludes that students who were once functioning at the bottom of their class are…

Concerned about sudden death and injury, a small, underfunded Pennsylvania district integrated a wellness center into its middle-school physical-education program to address every student's needs and detect health problems early. Sixth-graders use heart monitors to test their endurance in varied sports activities. (MLH)

Analyses of data from over 6,000 Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) in Indiana revealed that on average half the service hours on IFSPs were actually delivered to children and families. Most commonly delivered early intervention services were special instruction and occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Rates of delivered services…

Content analysis of focus groups attended by 86 early intervention specialists revealed six factors affecting professional comfort with consultation: (1) child characteristics, (2) consultee characteristics, (3) program characteristics, (4) consultant characteristics, (5) available resources, and (6) consultant's history with the program. No…

The collection and use of data are generally accepted as important educational practices. Nevertheless, evidence exists that interventionists' data collection practices tend to be infrequent and nonsystematic. This study investigated the perspectives of early childhood interventionists about the use of data in their classrooms. Perspectives about…

This article reviews research on the typical development of joint attention and challenges that infants and toddlers with autism experience in achieving this milestone. We define joint attention as coordinating attention to an event or object with another individual, sharing interest and social engagement, and showing an understanding that the…

Despite a substantial conceptual literature demonstrating a significant relationship between helpgiving practices and personal control, there are relatively few empirical studies that have examined this relationship beyond a single cultural group, and few studies that have made use of more complex measures of empowerment. This study reports the…

This paper outlines what is involved in Sure Start, one of New Labour's key social policy interventions. It is argued that there are policy continuities with older redemptive policies which focus on young children. It is also argued that Sure Start could provide a bridgehead for a more socially democratic orientation into early childhood policy.

The relationship between three different service coordinator models (dedicated and independent, dedicated but not independent, and blended) and the use of nine different service coordinator practices was examined in a study of families of infants and toddlers enrolled in the IDEA Part C early intervention program. Results showed that service…