This paper describes an experimental early intervention program called the Kindergarten and Elementary Intervention Program, which provides support for at-risk students, their parents, and teachers. It aims at the improvement of early school adjustment through approaches designed to accommodate a wide range of individual differences; improve and…

The purpose of this study of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Chapter 1 Preschool Program was to document the program's effects and to make a start at determining whether the program prevents later school problems. It was hypothesized: (1) that former preschool program members would have significantly better language development than eligible students…

This bulletin highlights topics addressed at a National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) Action Seminar on Infants Exposed to Illicit Drugs and Alcohol in Utero. The incidence of babies being born exposed to cocaine and other illicit drugs is outlined, and it is concluded that numbers appear to be on the rise. The…

A study evaluated a teacher development model that provides teachers with peer support and techniques for fostering active reading strategies in inner-city reading disabled adolescents using Collaborative Strategy Instruction. Subjects were 13 pairs of teachers in 9 middle, junior high, or senior high schools who taught reading comprehension to…

One of nine competency-based training modules for personnel preparation in early childhood special education, this guide focuses on the importance of play and learning in preschool programs. All modules are adaptable for use with a general audience, direct service personnel, or administrators and are based on the following principles of the Ohio…

This report presents an evaluation of a state implemented prekindergarten program for disadvantaged 4-year-old children in Texas in light of the program's impact on the largest urban school districts. The purpose of the program was to break the cycle of school failure and underachievement of disadvantaged and limited English proficient children.…

This study examined whether infants with Down syndrome (N=32) undergoing early motor training would benefit from their parents observing a clinician implement an intervention program with their child. Parents of half the children remained in the room while the clinician implemented motor stimulation techniques, while parents of the other half were…

Designed to promote the creation of programs and policies that meet the needs of young adolescents, this report considers trends and forces affecting children between the ages of 10 and 15 and offers recommendations for drawing out adolescents' positive possibilities. Section 1 acknowledges trends that point to an increasing number of at-risk…

This report addresses three aspects of the "drug problem" on Pennsylvania's college campuses: (1) education and prevention; (2) diagnosis and treatment; and (3) law enforcement. It describes a wide variety of campus responses to this challenge reflecting the enormous variety of institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth. The…

The Infant Follow Along Program (IFAP) is an interagency effort to improve the identification of infants and toddlers who may experience health or developmental problems because of medical or environmental risk factors. The program also facilitates data collection and referral for services for infants and families. The program is in use in an…

This paper addresses critical questions concerning the educational needs of African American students with behavior disorders. These include: the historical context; effects of reform and restructuring movements on this population; the unresolved issue of defining "seriously emotionally disturbed" or "emotional or behavior…

Like urban America, rural America faces problems with drugs, crime, unemployment, poverty, inadequate health care, teenage pregnancy, suicide, etc. Almost three quarters of all public schools in the United States are in rural areas. At least 30 percent of America's current school-age children are at risk and have become educationally…

This final report describes activities and achievements of Project TIE (Teams in Early Intervention), which developed, implemented, and evaluated an inservice training model to increase the competencies of team members from different disciplines as well as parents. The project was designed to assist in the implementation of Public Law 99-457…

This paper reports results from two dissertation studies and several pilot and case studies examining the effects of early enrichment on children's language and cognitive development. Early enrichment in these studies included home visits with parents, typically beginning before the child reached 6 months of age, and continuing until the child was…

This report presents findings of an inquiry into the educational needs of children prenatally exposed to drugs and covers: (1) the extent of the problem, (2) negative effects of prenatal drug exposure on a child's educational potential, (3) typical behaviors and learning deficits of such children, and (4) characteristics of successful early…