Explores why mental health has been a contested issue in Head Start and describes recent efforts to bring mental health closer to the center of the program agenda. Describes areas of challenge and innovation that might further the program goal of improving the well-being of parents and children in poverty. Concludes with recommendations for…

Describes a field-based outcome-measure study in which a family-systems curriculum was designed and implemented in a graduate clinical preparation program in speech-language pathology. In addition, families' perceptions of the pediatric speech-language assessment process were evaluated. Clinical competencies for preservice and professional…

Describes the context for early childhood education and care in South Africa. Focuses on the principles directing program and service delivery, the development of a training framework, the role of lobbying and advocacy networks, strategies for improving the quality and increasing quantity of provision, and the role of non-governmental…

This paper reviews transmission of human immunodeficiency virus and stages of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); AIDS symptoms in children; special complications for children with disabilities; and responsibilities of special educators, including, among others, inclusion in schools, interdisciplinary team management, providing a family…

Effects of the federal compensatory education policy on the capacity of schools to deliver high-quality services to poor children is examined with a focus on federal assessment of Chapter 1 programs. Alternatives are suggested to improve evaluation usefulness in building organizational capacity by moving beyond a sole focus on student outcomes.…

A national survey of speech-language pathologists working in school-based settings examined such topic areas as caseload characteristics, service delivery models, bilingual/bicultural services, support personnel, shortages of speech-language pathologists, and demographic information. (DB)

A study of 16 children (ages 2-4) with autism and pervasive developmental disorders found that children involved in home-based services before and after age 3 all demonstrated significant changes on six developmental domains but there were no significant differences between age groups. Improvement in communication, cognitive and social-emotional…

This commentary on "The Effects of Family-Centered Service Coordination: A Social Validity Study" (Romer), discusses the challenges of implementing family-centered service coordination and variables such as caseload size, models of service coordination, and models of staff development that might have an impact on these challenges. (CR)

Examines the literature regarding the cost of delivering postsecondary remedial education. Describes five studies that offer statewide and national estimates of such costs. Offers insight into the limited amount of research available on the topic, the considerable difficulties involved in collecting information, and the opposing philosophies and…

Presents results from a study of English teachers in Israel that examined levels of satisfaction with online courses and factors that influenced them. Highlights include connections between confidence levels and satisfaction levels; prior professional experience; delivery modes; communication with instructors and peers; course prerequisites; and…

This introductory article discusses the large numbers of infants and young children affected by behavioral and emotional problems that pose salient challenges for clinical assessment and management. It examines barriers to the delivery of mental health services and stresses the need to develop data concerning efficacy and effectiveness of…

In the late 1980s, a gold rush in Roraima state, Brazil, had devastating effects on the health of indigenous populations. Since then, a new health system emerged combining the assets of nongovernmental organizations, government agencies, and Native peoples such as the Macuxi. Community-chosen indigenous health workers and microscope technicians…

This synthesis of data based articles about co-teaching between general and special education personnel found, of 89 articles reviewed, only 6 provided sufficient quantitative information for an effect size to be calculated. Effect sizes and dependent measures varied widely. Results indicate the need for further research to substantiate the…

Despite the educational reform initiatives outlined in programs similar to and in the American 2000 plan, conspicuously absent is any in-depth discussion regarding the growing rate of poverty among youth in inner cities. It is a poverty which engulfed one in seven youth in 1970, one in six in 1980, one in five in 1990, and one in four in 2000.…

This chapter presents several strategies for teaching about sex and gender using entertainment media and explores critical issues related to content development, the delivery process, and evaluation methods.