Because of the variation in support for literacy development in different homes, many children need high-quality preschool and school environments and excellent primary instruction to be sure of reading success. This Digest discusses the research on preschool literacy environments and their contributions to reading skills development. The overall…

This catalog lists resources available from projects federally funded by the Early Education Program for Children with Disabilities. This discretionary grant program supports a variety of innovative service, training, and research projects in early intervention and early childhood special education. Information is organized by type of project:…

Over the past decade, there has been a worldwide search for caretaking factors which protect children from poverty, poor health, and neglect. This search has shifted in focus from unchangeable risk factors to conditions and behaviors that can be taught to caregivers. These conditions seem to be: (1) based in species-wide needs; (2) specific to…

This report provides background information and summarizes a 1991 seminar on the federal role in coordination, collaboration, and integration strategies for families. A preliminary section identifies highlights of the seminar focusing on: (1) the Project on Improving the Coordination of Federal Public Assistance Programs; (2) key findings and…

This combined report provides cost analyses of four strategies for improving child success and retention in South African junior primary schools, and for eight community-based preschool day care (educare) options. The junior primary school cost analyses utilize the Assessing Policies for Educational Excellence (APEX) computer model to make…

This paper discusses eight precepts that parents, educators, and society as a whole should follow to ensure that children in the United States enjoy a safe and secure environment. These proactive principles declare that: (1) every baby born in our country has the right to adequate health care; (2) guns, knives, and other potential weapons must not…

This directory lists 96 organizations that provide information, services, and/or referral to parents, educators, persons with disabilities, and others concerned with disabilities. Organizations are grouped according to their primary emphasis, as follows: (1) general disability information; (2) information for families; (3) legal rights and…

Following a 5-year planning and development cycle, Illinois has completed its first year of full implementation of a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated system of early intervention services for eligible infants and toddlers and their families under provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Among accomplishments noted…

This report on Colorado's efforts to develop early intervention services for infants and toddlers with special needs and their families begins with a planning matrix displaying the program's philosophical base, methods, and system components. The report points out that the statewide service system should be designed to ensure access for all…

PALS (Partners in Active Learning Support) is a mentoring program that matches high school agriculture students with elementary students who have special needs. Developed by the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization, the program is designed to help those involved build trust in others and develop positive self-esteem. This training…

This paper lists practices recommended by the Council for Exceptional Children's Division for Early Childhood concerning service delivery models in early intervention and early childhood special education (EI/ECSE) programs for infants and young children with special needs and their families. An introductory section discusses five principles that…

This paper lists practices recommended by the Council for Exceptional Children's Division for Early Childhood concerning the promotion of social skills and emotional development in early intervention and early childhood special education programs for infants and young children with special needs and their families. An introductory section points…

This paper lists practices recommended by the Council for Exceptional Children's Division for Early Childhood concerning the promotion of motor skills in early intervention and early childhood special education programs for infants and young children with special needs and their families. An introductory section examines the importance of motor…

This practicum addressed the problem of families having insufficient skills and resources necessary for locating information about the physical, socioemotional, and academic development of their young children in an early intervention program. The practicum's goal was to help parents acquire these necessary skills and resources. A family resource…

A Chapter 1 pre-kindergarten intervention summer school program of the Mesa Unified School District in Arizona was selected by the United States Department of Education as being unusually successful in meeting the special educational needs of disadvantaged children. Students determined to be at-risk are enrolled in the program, which takes place…