Seventy-eight Israeli seventh, ninth, and eleventh graders were interviewed about their relationship with their mother and father. Results indicated that fathers spent less time with their adolescents, were less involved with them, and spent less time discussing personal and family matters with them when compared to the mothers. Adolescents…

Data from a longitudinal study of 2,000 children concerning paternal involvement, the father-child relationship, and effects on gender role expectations of sons and daughters suggest that the development of egalitarian views about work and parenthood depend less on paternal involvement than on the nature of that involvement. (SLD)

Reviews evidence that several familial subtypes, such as enmeshed, conflictive, detached, isolated, and healthy parent-child dyads, are characteristic of families with problematic relationships. Makes recommendations for educators and health professional who interact with this population. Includes guidelines for integrating familial profiles into…

Twelve children (mean age 4;1) interacted with their mothers in 2 conversational settings to explore the percentage of topic incorporation and collaboration processes used by mothers and children in play and help settings. Although the help setting appeared to support collaborative action, the play setting permitted the dyads to be informative…

Considers the African American family from the perspective of its specific roles and interrelationships. Examined themes include: extended familial relationships, the position of the single mother in the African American community and her relationship with family members, the father's role, marital relations, transition to parenthood,…

Reports on a study of the apparently paradoxical absence of background socioeconomic status (SES) effects on school continuation by college graduates. Finds results consistent with earlier studies of SES impact on schooling and explains the absence of parental SES effects on schooling beyond college. (CFR)

Discusses the role of adult children with serious mental illness as a source of support to their aging parents. Most mothers reported that their mentally-ill children provided at least some ongoing help with daily living tasks. The adult child's assistance related significantly to lower levels of maternal subjective burden. (RJM)

Discusses a framework for the creation, evolution, and development of Montessori schools, focusing on the creation of preschool programs, addition of primary and elementary education, and expansion to include middle school and secondary programs. Examines the role of teachers, parents, and students at each of these stages. (MDM)

Examined the relationship of parental attitudes and parental warmth to child academic skills and self-perceptions of competence. Suggests that although parental warmth was not significantly correlated with parental attitudes about early academics, and neither academic attitudes nor warmth predicted child achievement on an Academic Skills…

Studied the interactions, goals, and purposes of four mothers as they shared two narrative and two expository texts with their preschoolers. Results suggest that there is no one path to becoming literate, nor one single "correct" model of development. Literacy learning is an activity that involves the collaboration of parents and…

Argues that an evolutionary perspective can unite the study of species-typical development and individual variation. Provides examples from the domains of personality, social, and intellectual development. Maintains that understanding the ways in which genes and environments work together helps developmentalists identify children who need…

Retention of minority college students is elusive because many institutions have not made a full commitment to it, as is apparent in faculty, curriculum, and corporate culture. Unrealistic expectations, racism, funding, college environment, faculty interaction with students, and parental role must be addressed before a solution is found. (MSE)

Year-long case studies of 10 Hispanic American kindergartners indicate that (1) school has a great impact on children's home literacy experiences; (2) photocopied books and worksheets sent home by teachers stimulate literacy experiences; and (3) in-home booklet use is not related to literacy achievement, whereas in-home worksheet use is. (SLD)

A case study of site-based governance councils in Salt Lake City (Utah) is described. The study was a test of whether building-based councils actually enable teachers and parents to exert substantial influence on school policy. The reason why research findings did not fit expectations is discussed. (SLD)

If school choice options take place in school systems across the country, challenging opportunities may exist for the teaching profession. Analyzes the development of school choice plans by teachers and examines the impact of this process on the professionalization of teachers. Describes gains in teacher involvement, decision making, and autonomy.…