Five focus groups were conducted with 38 family participants receiving early intervention services in Virginia. Participants expressed their perspectives on how cost and ability to pay affects the family and their decisions on services. Implications for early intervention policy and practice on the local, state, and federal level and future…

This article describes the implementation of a self assessment process based on competencies and validated behavioral indicators used statewide in Georgia for personnel in early intervention. An analysis of 3500 self-assessment forms found that self assessments were useful as one measure for evaluating the effectiveness of training. (Contains…

In this commentary on a previous article that revealed modest and inconsistent results of the Parents as Teachers program, program evaluation work is urged to move beyond simply measuring intervention outcomes to examining the complex interactions between family and child characteristics, intervention goals addressed, processes employed by…

In this commentary on a previous article that revealed modest and inconsistent results of the Parents as Teachers program, issues are highlighted that those involved in real-world evaluation need to consider. Study attrition, defining meaningful primary outcomes, and need to use a participatory approach to develop outcome-based interventions are…

Notes that teachers have differing views toward children who bully. Addresses characteristics of bullies and their victims, incidences of bullying among children, the effects of bullying on children, and recommendations for teachers' support, including school-wide, classroom, and individual interventions. (DLH)

This article begins by defining family-centeredness and then reviews and integrates available evidence about family-centered practices in early intervention, preschool, and elementary and secondary schools. For each educational level, findings from studies that investigated program models, practitioner behaviors, family-oriented practices rating…

This article describes the Dina Dinosaur Social, Emotional and Problem Solving Child Training Program for young children with conduct problems. The program emphasizes training children in skills such as emotional literacy, empathy or perspective taking, friendship and communication skills, anger management, interpersonal problem solving, and…

Head Start, special education, and general preschool teachers (n=586) completed a survey designed to examine their use of assessments and curricula. They provided a range of responses, including reported use of 21 commercial assessments and self-developed and program-developed checklists. A majority listed curriculum-based measures acceptable in…

This article describes positive behavior support as it is applied in the context of early intervention and as children progress into elementary school. Variables that contribute to effective interventions are discussed, as are issues that must be considered in order to construct optimally beneficial transitions for children with behavioral…

This paper describes the Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) graduate training program at Kent State University (Ohio). Description of courses and practicum activities for the competency-based program is followed by outcomes data regarding student satisfaction with the curriculum and their capacity for providing family-centered services. Evaluation…

This article discusses the itinerant model and suggests ways that itinerant teachers might apply best practices in pre-academic instruction to their work within community settings, including: making environmental adaptations to maximize engagement; improving the social environment; and applying naturalistic strategies to embed specifically…

Research findings from a series of longitudinal studies of the language, speech, and social-emotional development of children with hearing impairments and hearing parents found language development is positively and significantly affected by the age of identification of the hearing loss and age of initiation into Colorado early intervention…

The effects of early educational intervention on the attainment of the Piagetian cognitive stage of concrete operations by 86 socioeconomically disadvantaged children aged 5, 6, and 7 years were assessed. The Concept Assessment Kit-Conservation developed by M. L. Goldschmid and P. M. Bentler (1968) was used. (SLD)

Looks at the general legal entitlements of preschool handicapped children. Discusses school districts' responsibilities regarding accepting applications for service; evaluating the child; and devising a placement. Concludes with a discussion of legal remedies available when school districts fail to comply with their duties. (MLF)

This paper presents encouraging results concerning speech perception, speech production, and language evaluation for an initial group of five children implanted with cochlear implants under the age of three years at the Children's Cochlear Implant Centre in Sydney, Australia. Preoperative assessment procedures and postoperative management are…