Reviews current knowledge of the most frequently asked questions about child sexual abuse, in areas such as its prevalence and trends, and what populations are at risk. Data presented from 19 adult retrospective surveys show that the incidence of reported child sexual abuse is rising, that less than one-third of the cases were committed by…

Reviews the state of knowledge about the magnitude of youth violence, its causes and consequences; and explores the effectiveness of interventions available to criminal justice, school, and mental health authorities, as well as the potential of new treatment initiatives. The article concludes with recommendations for future policymaking and…

Reviews 36 studies of both model demonstration projects and large-scale public programs to examine the long-term effects of these programs on children from low-income families. Results show early childhood programs can produce significant short-term benefits on intelligence quotient, and important long-term benefits on school achievement, grade…

Describes two-generation programs and how they differ from earlier single-focus approaches to serve children and families. Results from six programs are reviewed and indicate mixed and modest success in promoting the development of children and improving the parenting skills and economic self-sufficiency of parents. Recommendations are presented…

Reviews international research that documents how participation in early childhood programs influenced children's later development and success in school. The research shows participation in preschool promotes cognitive development and school success; program type matters little. Further, maternal employment and reliance on child care do not harm…

Reviews studies that defined and measured the effects of quality in early child care and education, and analyzes successful programs to determine common traits. Common characteristics include small class sizes; teacher support for greater teaching effectiveness; long-lasting intervention; ongoing, child-focused communication between home and…

Reviews post 1980 research on inclusion and the effectiveness of special education in general and argues that there is no compelling evidence showing that placement, rather than instruction, is the critical factor in student academic or social success. Research reveals a clear need for special education programs and does not support full-time…

Examines data collected by the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) on the identification and classification of special education students. Analysis suggests that the OSEP count data, by themselves, do not indicate how many children have disabilities or what types of disabilities they have, and the data cannot by used to evaluate…