This document is comprised of the single 2000 issue of a newsletter of the Harvard Family Research Project, designed to share new ideas and experiences in evaluating systems reform and comprehensive child and family services. The issue focuses on after-school programs and includes the following articles: (1) "Building the After School…

This report provides an overview and description of social and emotional learning (SEL) and service-learning (S-L) as tools to improve the lives and academic performance of students. It describes how the two practices are interrelated, and cites research evidence that supports the expanded use of both practices in the classroom. Also provided are…

Recognizing increasing difficulties faced by parents in the 1990s, this study surveyed group-based parenting programs in Great Britain in 1994-95. Findings indicate considerable diversity in program theory, objectives, content, and methods, with most programs based on social learning and behavioral principles. The main focus of programs is…

This document reports a study that examined implementation processes for new workplace practices--nonterritorial offices--in five international organizations in four countries. The organizations are IBM and Ernst & Young in the United Kingdom; Digital Equipment's Natural Office in Sweden; SOL Cleaning Company headquarters in Finland; and…

This summary explaining the results of evaluations of programs to prevent youth violence is an attempt to fill the gap in information about what works and what does not. An effort is made to place the problem of youth violence in perspective, using information largely taken from Bureau of Justice statistics. The existing programs are divided into…

The Families Matter series of papers from the Harvard Family Research Project advances the concept of family-centered child care, advocating an approach to early childhood education that addresses the development of the child and family together. Grounded in family support principles, which build on family strengths and work from a community's…

This paper discusses the characteristics of three community-based early childhood care and development support programs: the Community Mothers Program of Dublin, Ireland; the Maternal and Infant Health Outreach Workers Program of Tennessee; and the Mothers Inform Mothers Program of the Netherlands. The paper considers the general characteristics…

Describes the construction and implementation of a pilot project involving the use of microcomputers in secondary school administration in Canada. Reactions of students, parents, and school administrators to the computerized scheduling and attendance programs are evaluated. Sample printout pages are included. (JJD)

Reviews computer assisted instruction projects in these categories: major implementations and evaluations, dissemination projects, authoring languages/systems, intelligent CAI, use of computers in nontraditional teaching environments, and CAI work directly/indirectly resulting in generation of new theories. Six major conclusions resulting from the…

The number of individuals needing noninstitutional long-term care is not large. Costs of expanded publicly funded home care benefits can be controlled. Efforts to mobilize additional volunteer time are politically and humanly desirable to complement ongoing family care and to help secure expanded public benefits. (Author/RC)

Describes a card sort technique designed to stimulate career explorations and to assist in career decision making. Addresses several questions relating to evaluation of the technique, including its effectiveness as part of a career exploration course. Considers strengths and limitations of the technique. (RC)

Summarizes results of a community college consortium formed to strengthen vocational and educational guidance and programs for the high-risk student. Consortial activities included information-disseminating conferences for faculty and managers and the creation of college task forces to utilize the information. Outlines factors key to consortial…

Assertive Discipline (AD) advocates a systematic approach which enables teachers to set firm, consistent limits for students while remaining cognizant of students' need for warmth and positive support. This article describes effective and ineffective teacher disciplinary behaviors, AD competencies, and the implementation of AD at Rice Elementary…

The authors review compensatory education programs, summarize studies of their effectiveness, and conclude that such programs can be effective--although they must be accompanied by increased opportunity in the society as a whole. (JM)

Describes the success of Capital Partners for Education (CPE), a nonprofit organization that helps at-risk students by providing them with scholarships and mentors, who are mostly urban professionals. CPE targets average students who are failing or likely to drop out. Discusses CPE's activities and its expansion to provide year-round support. (AJL)