This booklet answers parents' questions about the following: Kentucky's Writing Portfolio program, the process which leads to effective writing, and the parent's role in the development of children's writing skills. The first section discusses the stages of the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing) and how…

Noting the need for increased teacher knowledge of parent involvement activities in order for school-home partnerships to improve, this study examined parent involvement in their children's literacy development and the knowledge of parent involvement among their children's teachers. Participating in this study were 102 parents of children in…

Noting that our ability to incorporate the cultural strengths and the distinctive ways that families, specifically fathers, contribute to educational accomplishments of preschool children is severely constrained by major gaps and inadequacy in the research literature, this Digest explores what is known about the role of fathers in young children's…

The 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires early intervention programs to serve children in natural environments. Because of geography and resources, it is often impossible for service providers to visit rural families at home as frequently as families were seen via a center-based model. At first glance,…

This study explored the roles that two parents played in their daughter's English education during the initial period after moving to the United States. For English language learners (ELLS) with limited first language schooling in the home country, it usually takes several years to demonstrate cognitive academic language proficiency. For ELL…

Noting that children in every corner of the planet are affected by war or the threat of war, this booklet for parents and early childhood educators provides an introduction to children's fears concerning armed conflict and terrorist attacks and offers strategies for helping children work through their fears. The chapters are as follows: (1)…

This study examined the views of kindergarten, first-, and second-grade teachers regarding families' competence to contribute knowledge to their child's educational process. In the first part of the study, 33 teachers from a variety of schools participated in small-group nominal group technique discussions. Their beliefs then contributed to the…

This report focuses on the research aspects of the Equipped for the Future (EFF) project that works toward system reform for adult literacy and lifelong learning. Section 1 describes the EFF process 1993-97, the impetus for EFF, and approaches to system reform. Section 2 explores the research processes EFF uses to build a framework that could…

This document is designed to provide guidance to Illinois school administrators on positive behavioral interventions with students with disabilities. It begins with a description of the Illinois statute addressing behavioral interventions and then provides information on district policy guidelines on establishing and maintaining a committee to…

New research shows that the involvement of both mothers and fathers is important to children's education. Recognizing that promoting fathers' involvement depends greatly on the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of the teachers, administrators, child care providers, and social support staff, this report is designed to inform, promote, and celebrate…

This paper compares and analyzes preschool mathematics education in Singapore and India in terms of strategies, learning activities, teacher expectations, and parental involvement. The paper describes the mathematics curriculum of one school in Erode, India, including teaching methods, and in Singapore. The results of a parent survey in each…

This study compared preferred homework styles of Chinese students who were characterized by: (1) high versus low self-perceived homework achievement and attitude; (2) high versus low teacher-rated homework completion and quality; (3) high versus low academic achievement in mathematics. Gender differences in homework styles were also examined.…

Continues the chronicle of the development of a young reader. Details his growth in reading and interests in his third year. (FL)

Reviews theory and research on various aspects of prosocial development, discusses curricula designed to increase the ability of young children to behave in prosocial ways, and lists six factors that can be used to facilitate children's prosocial development. (RH)

This study of a middle-class housing estate in Great Britain shows how the women of the community foster a collective culture conducive to the academic success of the children. This reinforcement of social stratification inhibits working-class advancement and calls into question the efficacy of school reform in achieving equity. (SK)