A study analyzed the dinner-table discourse in a Caucasian-American, upper-middle-class two-parent family with children aged seven (female) and eight (male) for evidence of how family narrative practices socialize children into family, social, and cultural membership. It is also proposed that discourse in families both indexes and constitutes…

The importance of family to identity is an accepted tenet of identity theories, though there is some dispute about the nature of this parental relationship and its facilitation of identity formation. This study investigated the relationship between the two developmental constructs of identity and attachment. Using the Identity Status Paradigm,…

This handbook for parents describes the transition planning process for youth with disabilities. The handbook is divided into four sections: an overview of the who, what, where, when, why, and how of transition; consideration and evaluation of future options for the young person; home, school, and community activities that can be immediately…

Since the passage of U.S. Public Law 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1975, special education has undergone much change. This law mandates that any child with disabilities must be educated to the maximum extent possible, with the least restrictive environment possible. This book serves as a resource for teachers dealing…

Recently, some employers were polled to find out which skills are most important for young people working at their first jobs to have. This guide discusses how parents can help children prepare for the work world. Employers are interested in the academic skills of young people and use job application forms and interviews to evaluate them. They…

Charter schools have developed in response to a demand for innovation in public education. Charter schools often begin with much parent and community involvement; yet, the role of parents is often unclear. This paper presents findings of a study that examined parent participation in one urban and one suburban charter school in the northeastern…

A study examined the past home environment (prior to kindergarten entrance) of 26 students currently in grade 2. Subjects were selected from the population of second graders who participated in the district-wide First Grade Reading/Language Arts Assessment Test when they were in the first grade in an elementary school in central New Jersey.…

A study examined the links among mothers' endorsement of developmental goals, use of competence-promoting parenting practices, youth self-regulation, and academic and psychosocial outcomes. A sample of 175 single-mother-headed African American families with a 6- to 9-year-old child was recruited from nonmetropolitan counties in Georgia. Interviews…

This case study of a school-based parent center in a low-income Latino community, based on action research, investigated ways in which low-income parents became involved with their child's school, and identified barriers and supports to the implementation of various parent involvement activities. Data were collected through participant…

Research provides insight into parent attributes that support partnerships with teachers. These attributes include warmth, sensitivity, nurturance, the ability to listen, consistency, positive self-image, personal competence, and effective interpersonal skills. Researchers have cited positive attitudes, continuous teacher training, involvement in…

This book informs parents and families of children and young adults with cancer about the most common types of cancer in the young, treatments and their side effects, and common issues that arise with a cancer diagnosis. Aspects of the disease, including characteristics of leukemia and solid tumors, are described. Treatment issues discussed…

Both parents and educators have extremely important roles in educating children. Educators must consider the whole family when attempting to meet the needs of the children they teach. By means of a questionnaire, this study explored 10 preschool educators' and 10 mothers' attitudes toward parental involvement. Questions for teachers include how…

Reluctance to recognize the importance of parents in the education process has been overcome in the past few years. Consequently, states are searching for and implementing programs that involve parents in education. A survey of educators in the Midwest revealed strong support for parent involvement among teachers, principals, and superintendents.…

The aim of this study was to examines the effects of life-span contextual variation on father-child relationships. Sixty families in which both parents were either younger than 26 or older than 29 when they began childbearing, and whose oldest or only child was between the ages of 3 and 5 at the time of the study participated. Questionnaires were…

This digest summarizes information on the roles of the Federal Government, the family, and teachers in preparing young children with disabilities for school. Noted are relevant provisions of Public Law 99-457, the 1986 Amendments to the Education of the Handicapped Act (Part B), including development of Individualized Family Service Plans to aid…