Discusses the "Gardendale Family"--a vertically aligned team of K-6 classrooms. Notes that the family sought to develop a sense of community within the school; promote family involvement; develop a cognitively engaging and culturally connected curriculum; engage students in authentic learning; and develop programs to encourage individual…

Offers reflections on lingering issues raised in this themed issue on the "Gardendale Family": maintaining the integrity of the family; issues of time; curriculum standards; and effects on the rest of the school. Offers a bibliography of works considering the global concerns which prompted the formation of the Gardendale Family. (SR)

Advocates involving parents and family in science learning through photography. Students and their families are challenged to gather still or moving images of living or nonliving things actively engaged in using energy within their neighborhoods. Everyone learns more science through sharing information in discussion. In the process, teamwork,…

To examine the perceptions of families in the early childhood special education literature, four popular journals were reviewed, and 93 1996-1997 articles were identified for further study. Results found a lack of emphasis on the family and the family's role in the delivery of early intervention services. (Contains references.) (CR)

Presents 12 ideas for meeting the educational and social needs of second language learners, including: assess student needs; empathize; foster a sense of belonging; assign a buddy; use sheltered English techniques; teach key words; read and reread books aloud; provide opportunities for success; keep track of language progress; value bilingualism;…

This article discusses a family-centered approach to assistive technology assessment for young children with mental retardation or developmental disabilities and their families. After a literature review, legal definitions of assistive technology are examined, and a model is presented for supporting and involving families in technology assessment…

Interviews with 15 families of young children with disabilities and 14 professionals working with them indicated that professionals have an understanding of the change in focus from child-centered to family-centered intervention; however there was some incongruence between family-centered attitudes and actual practice. Families expressed overall…

A review of the literature examines three emerging trends related to the impact of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for children with disabilities: (1) the prescription of appropriate AAC devices; (2) implementation of AAC across multiple contexts; and (3) maintenance of AAC use and anticipation of transition needs. The importance…

Describes the EQUALS Family Science Program, a national program designed to promote equity in mathematics, science, and technology, in which the goal is to make children and parents more scientifically literate by doing science investigations together. Presents activities that teachers can use to promote scientific literacy and cultural diversity.…

This article outlines a process for conducting comprehensive early intervention based on an assessment process that includes functional behavioral assessment. A case example is presented to further illustrate this process. Additional elements essential to the process including family involvement, collaborative teaming, and implementing…

Post-placement involvement and well being of 53 families who had placed their child into a residential facility were studied 1, 2, and 3.5 years following placement. Visitation remained moderately high, with some type of visit reported at least monthly at Time 3 by 83 percent of families. Expressed attachment was high and stable. (Contains…

Present study examined a model of the direct and indirect influences of mother, child, and family factors on home learning activities in low-income families. Results provided partial support for the model. Separate analyses yielded comparable results for Anglo- and Mexican-Americans. Ways to facilitate parent self-efficacy are discussed. (Author)

A study explored differences in the special education programming of 115 African-American and 115 Caucasian students (grades 3-5). Although a clear pattern was found in variables related to placement restrictiveness, the pattern was similar for African-American and Caucasian students. Variables include problem severity, presence of behavioral…

The effect of teaching parents of 26 at-risk middle school students to facilitate a home-based self-management program to improve homework performances and academic achievement was investigated. Results indicated overall levels of homework completion and homework quality increased significantly for those students whose parents consistently…

Examines whether youths use different ways to contact employers and whether their methods affect their job earnings. Reveals that most types of contacts have little effect on early earnings, but relatives and school contacts place students in jobs that lead to higher earnings nine years later. (Contains 52 references.) (CMK)