Parent participation is considered to be a vital component in the education of students with disabilities. Parents' roles in pivotal changes in special education--specifically, inclusion--are acknowledged, and their rights are protected in special education law. However, their perspectives are not always understood or considered in the…

The study reported here is an analysis of discourse in conversations with a Laotian woman who has lived in the United States with her husband and children since 1986. Analysis focuses on the nature of women's agency in Lao and U.S. cultures, highlighting the woman's perception of her changing identities as wife and mother. Excerpts of the…

Pointing out that the label of dyslexia carries an acute stigma of mental incompetence (and the researcher/author is herself dyslexic), this booklet intends to provide educators and parents with a frame of reference regarding the topic of dyslexia. Defining dyslexia broadly as "characterized by a consistent difficulty with processing…

This paper investigates several features of deaf mothers' behavior that have been identified as playing crucial roles in facilitating natural language acquisition in deaf children, including gaining the attention of the child, modification of the structure and content of adult language or motherese, and maintenance of communication and periods of…

A survey was conducted to measure the attitudes and beliefs of parents of preschoolers about child sexual abuse prevention programs. Surveys were distributed to parents at various programs serving 3- to 5-year-old children in a Colorado community. The survey gathered information on parents' demographic characteristics, involvement in prevention…

For many years there has been concern over the growing need for adequate and available child care in the United States. Given this concern, the question arises as to what is meant by "adequate child care." It is not enough that child care be available; it must also be adequate with respect to fulfilling the developmental needs of the children it…

This publication consists of two research updates. The first, "Learning to Work: How Parents Nurture the Transition from School to Work," highlights conclusions from the study, "Lessons from Life's First Teacher: The Role of the Family in Adolescent and Adult Readiness for School-to-Work Transition," which offers an analysis of how families…

This study examined factors contributing to parental satisfaction during the transition to parenthood, and considered gender differences in the type of social support received and role satisfaction. Ninety-five subjects (55 mothers and 40 fathers) were selected to include both primiparous and multiparous parents, employed and nonemployed mothers,…

The family's influence on children's learning accounts for 80 percent of variance in students' academic performance. The present study, framed by the concept of human development within ecological contexts as elaborated by Bronfenbrenner (1979), investigated literacy practices and views of parents with limited literacy skills who participated in a…

Using as a framework concerns and problems which two early childhood educators encountered in connection with curriculum in programs for infants and toddlers, this guide focuses on common questions about child developmental needs shared by caregivers and parents. The chapters consider the following questions: (1) "What Is Curriculum?"…

Two guides for parents and others concerned with the education of children in their community are provided in this packet. "What We Want Our Children to Get Out of School" is a community discussion guide modeled from National Issues Forum material that provides the framework and setting for adults to share their views. It begins with information…

This handbook is a "how-to" guide to help parents get the child support payments their children need and deserve. The handbook is written in a question and answer format. Chapter 1 provides information on child support enforcement problems, how parents can get help, and the basic fees and steps in getting child support. Chapter 2…

This paper discusses the use of child development charts to assess the social, self-help, gross motor, fine motor, and language development of infants and young children. It examines the roles of teachers and parents in observing and assessing children's development and provides 2 checklists, one for infants from birth through 21 months (at…

The 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) provided, among other measures, a new governance body for schools called "School Councils." These school-based, decision-making councils are composed of parents and teachers and headed by principals. This paper presents findings of a study that explored the effects of KERA's provision for…

This paper discusses social and emotional development during childhood and adolescence in the United States, focusing on factors that affect children's prosocial behavior and the role of parents in promoting such behavior. It is argued that changing family structures, including the growth of single parent families and "latch-key" children, along…