This article discuses the barriers to the study of culturally diverse families with children with disabilities, cross-cultural studies, and early intervention. Key principles underlying culturally appropriate service provision are applied to three areas: personnel preparation, the structure of services, and the evaluation and modification of…

Reviews findings on the long-term effects of early childhood care and education (ECCE) programs outside the United States. Focuses on three issues of policy debate of concern to the United States: (1) long-term benefits of ECCE programs; (2) using ECCE programs to reduce educational inequities; and (3) benefits of parent involvement in ECCE…

This study used an "enhanced constructed comparison group" statistical model to conduct longitudinal research on the child developmental impact of Pittsburgh's early childhood initiative (ECI), a partnership to provide high-quality early care and education for children in high-risk neighborhoods. First-phase findings indicate that…

This article describes an intervention program designed to remediate the school dropout problem by building student self-esteem through experiencing of success in the classroom. Although the intervention model had limited success, it is suggested that the school counselor can become a key person in combating the dropout problem. (Author/LKS)

Data based on about 400 families are used to describe development of early intervention services at the Maryland School for the Deaf from 1969 to 1992. Implications are discussed in relation to very early identification of hard-of-hearing and deaf children, the impact of changing etiologies, and the training of early intervention specialists.…

This follow-up study evaluated 2 programs for 40 preschool children with speech disorders: a home parent training program and a clinic-based, low parent involvement program. The home parent training group performed as well or better on measures of speech, language, personal/social skills, and adaptive behavior. Program costs were similar.…

Within 6 weeks of infants' entry into an early intervention program and again 12 months later, data on infant and family adaptation were collected in home visits to families with infants with disabilities. Found that the strongest predictor of infants' developmental change was the severity of infants' psychomotor impairment. (BC)

Describes the work of the Toussaint Institute, a nonprofit organization that places African-American male students in about 53 African-American independent schools in New York City. The institute investigates the schools, places and monitors students, and helps schools become local and national resources. Advantages of these schools are described.…

Describes 17 family education programs considered innovative and promising. The programs selected target low-income families with children between three and eight and are linked with public schools. All of them work with parents to enhance children's cognitive development and academic achievement. Summarizes methods used in recruitment, staffing,…

Reviews past and present research on early communication and language intervention at the Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, presenting three premises that inform most of the Kennedy Center's research on the issue, summarizing seven lines of contemporary research by Kennedy Center investigators that influence the development of…

Describes a model of comprehensive individualized support for young children (ages 24 to 48 months) with severe developmental disabilities, including autism, based on a triad of essential elements: (1) development of functional communication skills; (2) supported participation in socially inclusive environments; and (3) multifaceted family…

Evaluated effects of Chicago Child-Parent Center and Expansion Program on 559 low-income, inner-city African American children. Found that program participation for two or three years after preschool and kindergarten was associated with higher reading achievement up to seventh grade and lower cumulative grade retention and special education…

Reviews historical events that molded the field of learning disabilities (LDs); addresses issues related to the prevalence of LDs and advances in identification, classification, and intervention practices directed at children with LDs. While focus is placed on deficits in basic reading and early intervention, other academic, social, and behavioral…

This study of 12 parents of preschool children with disabilities trained parents to implement responsive interaction and examined the effects on their child's language and communication skills. Findings indicated an improvement in and maintenance of communication and language skills of the children. Parents were satisfied with their participation…

This article reports the academic and special education status of 129 graduates of special education preschools at 19 years of age. Participants had been randomly assigned to either direct instruction or mediated learning preschool classrooms. At age 19, their achievement was approximately one standard deviation below average. Consistent with…