The purpose of this study was to discern African American mothers' cultural models for their experiences receiving early intervention services for their young children with disabilities. Fifteen mothers were interviewed and the records of their children were examined. Findings were organized by 3 conceptual themes: how the mothers handled their…

This module, which may be used as the basis for a workshop or as a special topic unit in adult basic education or English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) courses, addresses how and why parents should become involved in their children's learning. Topics covered include the following: involvement opportunities; identifying the hierarchy of school…

These training materials derive from a personnel preparation special project that developed, implemented, and evaluated a teaching model on collaborations necessary for effective delivery of early intervention. Module 1 provides an overview of the history of early intervention and the legal statutes that define early intervention. Module 2…

The world can be a risky place for teenagers in the 1990s. This guide and videotape provide skills for parents who want to help teens move successfully through the steps from childhood to adulthood. Based on extensive research, each of the seven units in the guide includes advice, strategies, and activities for both parents and teens to improve…

This document describes the work of several universities to make teacher-family partnerships a high priority in teacher preparation. The case studies of several successful programs demonstrate that teacher preparation programs can undertake various approaches to help teachers develop the skills and knowledge needed to carry out their partnership…

This project manual from the Partnerships for Rural Resource Teams Project, a project designed to build upon the foundation of services for children and youth with deaf-blindness in Montana, opens with guiding principles of the project and a description of the types of available services. Grounded in a framework that draws upon the principles of…

Noting that productive family-school relationships are necessary for socializing and supporting children and adolescents as learners, and that such relationships can take many forms, this book examines the goals, contributions, and accountability of families and schools for educational outcomes. Addressed to school psychologists, the book…

This paper presents the results of the Science Parent, Activities, and Literature (Science PALs) project. This project aims to promote parent involvement in children's hands-on science education by using take-home, literature-based inquiry, problem solving, and design activities that connect school and home. Parents are the most effective source…

Presents a framework for assessing kinship homes that differs from traditional family foster home evaluation due to the differences between kinship homes and those of other prospective foster parents. Argues that distinctive criteria for approving placement of children in kinship homes are needed in the areas of home evaluation before placement…

Considers key issues that schools, school districts, and other agencies need to address when planning a home visiting program to promote collaboration between home and school. Essential goals are defined, and the skills that home visitors need are explored. Home visiting programs are viewed as a developing process. (SLD)

A culturally appropriate program with a functional approach was developed to train related services assistants (RSAs) in U.S. Pacific jurisdictions. RSAs support students with severe disabilities to achieve individualized-education-program objectives. Evaluation revealed positive impacts for disabled students served by 19 trainees, but newly…

This article examines the diversity of practices utilized by working-class and poor black and Latina/o families to support their children's college-going processes. We employ the work of feminists, scholars of color, and critical ethnographers to critique the power undergirding the monolithic model establishing one entry point of parental…

This report presents the findings for private four-year colleges that participated in ACT's 2010 What Works in Student Retention survey. The report contains information pertinent to only these institutions. Appended are: (1) Data for Private Four-Year Colleges and Universities; and (2) What Works in Student Retention: Instrument. (Contains 15…

Family involvement in children's education is widely considered critical to student achievement. Yet teachers and other education professionals often feel unprepared to engage families in children's learning. The goal of Preparing Educators to Involve Families is to help prepare teachers and other professionals to partner effectively with the…

Early childhood teachers may express positive views about inclusive practices but are the practices implemented in their classrooms? This study examined preservice and inservice teachers' attitudes toward inclusive practices as reflected in the teachers' behaviors. This qualitative study utilized open-ended initial interviews, observations with…