Recent criticisms of Project Head Start have resulted in plans to improve program services and to expand in a more thoughtful manner to make the program more responsive to the needs of children and families. New directions include expansion below and beyond the ages previously served by Head Start. (SLD)

H.H. Spitz argues that interesting results from the preschool intervention of the Abecedarian Project continue to be disregarded. C.T. Ramey reiterates his earlier objections to Spitz's conclusions, and H.H. Spitz rejoins with specific objections to Ramey. (SLD)

Investigated taboos and beliefs about the nutritional value of foods among pregnant women from Nigeria's Hausa and Yoruba tribes. Found that Hausa women had greater nutritional anemia than Yoruba women; their babies had greater incidence of low birth weights and smaller chest and head measurements. Hausa women learned food-related beliefs from…

This article identifies three areas in early childhood special education which need further work: working with families to define social outcomes, expanding our definition of social behaviors and moving toward a framework based on social relationships, and developing interventions that are socially valid, ecologically valid, and sustainable across…

Evaluation of parent-directed, intensive early intervention using trained paraprofessional therapists with six children with pervasive developmental disorder found five children rapidly acquired skills when treatment began, but only two clearly improved on standardized tests at the 2-3 year follow-up. However, parents reported high satisfaction…

Investigates the effect of a school-based early mental health intervention program on school adjustment, using a wait-control design, for elementary grade students. The intervention was found to significantly lessen teachers' perception of student shyness, anxiety, and learning problems. It also increased perceived assertive social skills, task…

This article explores factors leading to development of antisocial behavior in children and later negative outcomes including school failure, delinquency, and violence. Best practices in screening and early intervention for at-risk and antisocial children are identified. Recommendations are offered based on research-based practices, tools, and…

This article describes the relationship of federal, state, and local policy as it relates to early childhood special education policies. It describes the balance of power among the three levels of government and hypothesizes that efforts on behalf of young children need to be increasingly focused on local action. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A survey evaluated the satisfaction of 79 parents with the delivery of preschool speech-language services in a rural region of Canada. While parents were generally supportive of the services, they were less supportive of service convenience, parent support, and overall parent satisfaction. Intervention format received the lowest parent rating.…

A dramatic increase in numbers of homeless families with school-age children and independent homeless youth has occurred in recent years. This article, an introduction to issues involved in educating homeless students, offers strategies for building awareness, increasing and supporting parental involvement, providing early intervention, and…

Discusses the transferring of Medicaid recipients to managed care in Oregon and the effects on physical therapy and occupational therapy services for children with disabilities. Describes a process that balances fiscally responsible utilization of therapy resources with advocacy for appropriate therapy services. Guidelines for services are…

Evaluated the effects of a six-week interactive shared-reading intervention with 3- to 4-year olds from low-income families who attended subsidized child care. The intervention involved teacher-reading at school, parents-reading at home, both-reading, or a no-treatment control. Found that significant gains on measures of oral language and language…

Some advocates of "all children can learn" downplay the need for adequate resources and child-friendly public policy. Educators' heroic efforts alone are insufficient. Other destructive fallacies include the principal as sole instructional leader and exception-based, uniform standards. The effective-schools movement has become too…

This article focuses on the link between changes in teachers' conceptual knowledge and student performance. It shows how teachers used the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills assessment system and describes significant change in teacher practice and student performance on foundational skills in early literacy. (Contains references.)…

This article describes three potential levels of accountability for providing certain types of support for families in early intervention and preschool programs for children with disabilities: providing the legally required services for families, providing services that are considered recommended, and achieving certain outcomes as a result of…