Parent involvement is a key element of efforts of the Austin Independent School District (AISD) to enhance students' academic and social success. Every AISD campus has a Campus Advisory Council or some other group with parent representation, and schools receiving funds under federal "titles" are required to include parent representation…

Results of a study of different social groups (family, friends, and a mixture of family members and friends) showed that, for selected activities, social groups differed in the way they defined the experiences offered by those activities. The extent of the differences varied by the type of activity: boat fishing, powerboating, and swimming. (FG)

Although the elderly in this country are often thought of as isolated and forgotten by family and friends, the study reported here found that this image differs significantly from reality in most cases. The authors discuss the various aspects of the support systems on which most elderly people rely. (Author)

Suggests that there is a pressing need to find ways of developing more services which aim to strengthen and complement families. To do this effectively, these services must be developed according to the families' needs and values. (MP)

The otolaryngologist's role in providing care to hearing impaired children and their families is discusses, including taking the medical history, conducting a physical examination, and administering special tests. Also covered are their involvement with educational programs, hearing aids, and otolaryngological follow-ups. (DLS)

Several areas of hearing impairment crucial to the social worker's effectiveness are outlined, including the nature of hearing impairment, communication factors, and the impact of hearing impairment on the child. Family therapy is also discussed. (DLS)

Approximately 1000 Norwegian orienteers who completed a survey could be grouped by attitude as seeking outdoor fun and relaxation, exercise, a challenging focus to life, solitary outdoor sport, or competitive rewards. Respondents rated technical aspects of participation and made suggestions for increasing public interest, including cooperation…

Surveyed urban elementary school principals and conducted case studies at high-mobility schools, examining how schools with higher mobility levels attempted to build community. Schools with high mobility levels implemented many programs and practices to help families, such as access to counseling services and adult education classes as well as…

Suggests that the changing nature of education requires that professional preparation programs provide more extensive parent involvement experiences. Discusses four thematic areas: (1) ways that families can contribute; (2) recognition of the expertise that families provide; (3) exploration of strategies that offer families meaningful involvement;…

Analysis indicated that reported frequency of involvement in delinquency declined more over time for families receiving Family Empowerment Intervention (FEI) as opposed to those receiving Extended Services Intervention (ESI). Results provide support for the impact of FEI services on reported frequency of delinquent behavior over a 36-month…

Study investigated whether or not participant needs were being met at a Family Night program for residential and outpatient clients. Responses indicated that increased satisfaction with the program was associated with increased participation, and with perceptions that the presented material related to their respective family problems. Implications…

Nurses can miss important cultural traditions and values that relate to sources of ethnic power in families. Continued efforts by nurses to learn about these values helps them assist families with health care decisions. (JOW)

Compared pre-discharge psychoeducation workshops for relatives of psychiatric inpatients, conducted with and without patient present, to hospital-tour and no-contact control groups. Found no group differences in patient relapse or family involvement in treatment after discharge; nor did groups differ on questionnaire measures of relatives' illness…

This article encourages hearing individuals in the elementary school community to learn sign language. Suggestions include having students teach students, having family sign classes, incorporating sign instruction throughout the day, giving everyone a name sign, and having schoolwide events in which signing is featured. (DB)

Challenges middle school teachers to broaden their definitions of both families and the roles that families can play in enhancing middle school effectiveness. Outlines six steps, supported by research from education and business, for recruiting families for middle schools. (15 references) (MLF)