The primary purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which selected course experiences influenced preservice teachers' perceptions of their comfort and competence levels in planning and implementing family involvement programs in schools. The subjects were early childhood and elementary teacher education students (N=105) enrolled in a…

This document presents a broad view of the Great Canadian Family--all of Canada's families, large and small, "traditional" and otherwise. The issue also examines the challenges of family life at the end of the twentieth century, in two major articles. The first article, "Of Wings and Roots" (Alan Mirabelli and Robert Glossop),…

This paper focuses on the role that action research can serve in preparing future school administrators to involve families in their children's education. For purposes of the paper, action research is defined as structured field-based investigations conducted in field environments that engage teachers preparing to become school administrators in…

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of a 4-year federal grant to provide statewide planning and improved educational and support services for 150 Louisiana children/youth with deafblindness. Activities and accomplishments are reported for each of six major objectives: (1) organizing project resources; (2) improving early…

Public school educators often fail to appreciate the various reasons home schooling is an increasingly attractive option for families of nearly every class, race, religion, and political perspective. Parents preferring to home school their children generally reveal one of two motivations for their decision. 'Idealogues' aim to promote specific…

Early Head Start (EHS) is a comprehensive, two-generation program that includes intensive services that begin before the child is born and concentrate on enhancing the child's development and supporting the family during the critical first 3 years of a child's life. This paper discusses approaches to measuring father involvement in their…

This technical assistance resource guide is intended to facilitate the inclusion and participation of youth with disabilities in school-to-work systems. The approximately 215 listed items were contributed by state and local organizations nationally. Organizations were asked to select resources that offered "hands on" assistance and were published…

This report examines the eighth grade cohort of 1888 in the year 2000. It presents findings from the fourth followup survey of the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88), from the year in which most cohort members turned 26. The period in which this cohort attended school saw major initiatives in educational reform in the United…

This paper provides an overview of demographic and educational attainment data on Latinos in Ventura County, California, and describes an ongoing initiative to increase Latino college attendance through improved K-12 preparation and family involvement. In both its urban and rural areas, Ventura County harbors large Latino populations who are…

For child care to become more supportive of families, programs and providers need to learn about the guiding principles of working with families and the concrete steps they can take in that direction. This resource guide offers ideas and resources for implementing family support principles in child care. The guide offers practitioners ideas and…

This final report describes accomplishments of the four-year federally funded Arizona Deafblind Project which attempted to: (1) identify all deafblind children in Arizona; (2) deliver technical assistance to families; (3) deliver technical assistance to service providers; and (4) enhance community oversight, coordination, and collaboration with…

This study evaluated the degree and quality of program implementation and educational outcomes associated with Kentucky's Family Resource and Youth Service Center, a school-based family resource and support program which emphasized increased involvement of families of special needs students and the community with their schools. Twenty centers…

A study was conducted to identify the essential living skills of males and females in the major roles of family member, individual, and employed person. Skills identified as most important dealt with finance, housing, clothing, feeding, transportation, physical aspects, social activites, and interaction of family members. (CT)

Discusses the role of pupil personnel workers and educators in providing services for handicapped children of low-income families. Parents need to be aware of their children's rights and the services available in the community and the school. Parent involvement should be encouraged. (JAC)

Surveyed college students (N=128) regarding perceptions of themselves and their family members. Nearly all respondent perceptions of self and family interactions were significantly correlated. Findings suggest family members need to be more attentive to the messages they convey through their actions and attitudes, and strive to be as positive as…