The author presents several factors which pertain to state involvement in family life. Among these factors are social diversity, social agency usurpation of family roles, the need for parent and family involvement in child rearing, conducting needs assessment, conducting hearings prior to policy decisions, and making social services relevant. (DB)

Argues that it has not been fashionable to value literacy stories from parents as a source of knowledge for interpreting the home literacy environment. Compares teacher descriptions of several at-risk children to their parents' literacy stories. Concludes that understanding multiple home literacy environments can help teachers think critically…

Among 41 Mexican immigrant women interviewed soon after giving birth, everyday pregnancy care (often family-influenced) guided maternal behaviors in pregnancy and positively affected birth weight. Interviewees had positive birth outcomes despite low incomes, low education levels, and lack of access to medical care. Discusses implications for…

Summarizes the findings of the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development's concluding report, including its recommendations for a generic approach to preventive interventions for adolescents. Proposes research opportunities suggested by the report, including biological aspects of adolescence, economic factors in adolescent development, time use…

A collaborative model for special educators and parents to use in devising strategies parents can use at home for children with learning disabilities is described. A case study of a child whose parent tutored her using an individualized tutoring program designed by the special educator after the initial evaluation is presented. (CR)

Reviews literature on family influence on children's acquisition of literacy. Discusses the ambivalence regarding family literacy theories and the lack of family literacy theoretical frameworks. Identifies types of family involvement and effective literacy strategies for families. Finds that most studies suggest that family literacy contributes to…

Asserts that curriculum design has traditionally been left to the experts who have forgotten or lost touch with the children. Explores an autobiographical account by Christopher Nolan, expressing the desire to build a curriculum that is richer, more energetic, and more truthful than the ones in the past. (MG)

Mental illness has a catastrophic impact on the family, subjecting its members to severe burden and life stress. In addition, families are often implicated in the origins of the illness by themselves, society, and mental health professionals. New alliances with clinicians are helping to support and destigmatize these families. (AF)

A study of 60 New Zealand high-school students and young adults with moderate mental retardation evaluated current transitional arrangements; related policies, practices, and attitudes; and typical outcomes for students/graduates. Of special focus are the importance of family involvement, support groups, education, postschool vocational training,…

Contemporary developments concerning the effectiveness of family involvement in early intervention programs are described within the framework of Public Law 99-457 and illustrated with investigations focusing on children at biological risk, children with cerebral palsy, and children with general developmental delays. (Author/DB)

The passage of Public Law 99-457 has both quantitative and qualitative implications for assessment. Educators working with infants and young children must become more familiar with assessment strategies and limitations including psychometrically sound assessment of complex and controversial family variables, and health and environmental risk…

Methods are described for quantifying and formalizing assessment of traumatic brain injury patient families. The advantages and disadvantages of empirical and clinical assessment are outlined, and four family assessment methods are reviewed: self-report, interview, observation, and laboratory. Specific assessment instruments are noted along with…

The Ventilator Assisted Care Program provides centralized case management services to ventilator-using youths and their families in Louisiana. Case managers develop individualized, comprehensive plans to be implemented locally using community resources; plans are based on needs identified by tertiary care providers and family members and are…

This Colorado study of practices in infant and toddler programs (ages 0-4) involved a review of 53 individual family service plans (IFSPs) and perceptions of 44 parents and 51 professionals concerning family-centered practices. IFSPs were found to be primarily child-centered, and urban and rural differences were determined. (Author/SW)

Describes an activity where teams of parents and children work together to solve problems involving matchbox-sized race cars. The teams collect, record, and analyze data; measure distances in metric; and explore concepts related to mass, friction, and force. (PR)