The fact that our school system is not prepared to help neurologically impaired children nor able to understand the difficulties these children face prompted the writing of this guide for parents. Acceptance of the child and his problem and the ridding of your own and his anxieties are first requirements for successful parental assistance. A…

Follow-up of three-year-olds (N=29) who received extensive hospitalization as infants for Failure to Thrive showed that most of the children manifested persistent intellectual delays. More than half suffered from chronic health problems, and a large percentage of children had been removed from parental custody by the time of follow-up. (Author/CB)

This book explores the many Englishes that are spoken in the classroom and the layers of politics, power, and identity that those different forms carry. There are 12 papers in three parts. Part 1, "Language and Identity," includes: "Ovuh Dyuh" (Joanne Kilgour Dowdy); and "Ebonics: A Case History" (Ernie Smith). Part 2, "Languages in the…

Many teens experience a time when keeping up with school work is difficult. Some adolescents are able to get through this time with minimal assistance from their parents or teachers. However, when the difficulties last longer than a single grading period or are linked to a long-term pattern of poor school performance, parents and teachers may need…

The promotion of academic success has been linked to children's social and emotional wellness, reduction in risky behaviors, and promotion of social and emotional competence. This chapter briefly summarizes the evidence regarding the link between academic performance and health risk behaviors, including substance abuse, delinquency, teen sexual…

This report summarizes evaluation results for the AISD 2001-2002 Optional Extended Year state-funded grant program.

Reviews the evidence on how the concept of opportunities to learn can be applied to the demand for more challenging content for all students. Concludes that students learn more if they are offered more demanding curricula. However, such curricula creates the probability of unacceptable rates of failure. (MJP)

Examines children's perception of themselves and their social world when experiencing academic failure. Studies showed that after academic failure various groups demonstrated higher levels of disruptive and hyperactive behaviors, reported more loneliness, less coherence, and lower peer acceptance than others. Discusses the possible impact on…

Examined health and social factors associated with early grade retention. Factors found to be independently associated with increased risk of grade retention were: (1) poverty, (2) male gender, (3) low maternal education, (4) deafness, (5) speech defects, (6) low birth weight, (7) enuresis, and (8) exposure to household smoking. (HTH)

This case study describes a boy from kindergarten through third grade with above average intelligence but difficulty learning to read, write, and spell. The paper emphasizes the human approach to learning, which took into account the boy's strong points, unique learning style, strong sense of responsibility, and the need to alleviate feelings of…

Objectives of these case studies were to identify probable causes of failure; to determine which of these causes could be addressed by the program; and to identify sources of failure specific to the individual. An additional issue surfaced regarding the program's responsibility to screen candidates with criteria other than academic measures. (SM)

Argues that educators have not developed curriculum and instruction models tailored to lower-achieving students. Discusses characteristics of lower-achieving students and to teaching methods and instructional materials. Presents suggestions for making history and social studies more relevant for these students. (CFR)

Shared cultural backgrounds and norms about how to use language can influence classroom interactions for minorities, including African Americans. Research finds serious problems when teachers' interactional styles differ from that of students' home communities. The differences can prevent full student participation and limit academic progress.…

Discusses ways that media and technology facilitate learning. Considers cognitive, motivational, and social needs of at-risk students; underlying causes of school failure; ways technology might improve at-risk students' learning; how technology might facilitate school restructuring; and ways schools must be restructured to increase the effective…

Perceptions of four reading-disabled middle school students were examined to reveal factors that may have prevented progress in reading. The following were identified as contributors: (1) ineffective use of reading strategies; (2) student perceptions of their reading instruction; (3) reading-related stress; and (4) students' educational histories.…