Noting that renaming common folk practices as "emergent literacy" practices legitimizes these unacknowledged ways of learning to read and write, this book highlights the importance of out-of-school literacy experiences and the value of real literature and real writing. It stresses a reciprocal relationship between basic research on the…

This book brings a social science perspective to bear on family change and family policy; identifies the determinants of change; and analyzes the role that government has played and can play in affecting the course of family life. Trends are examined from the perspective of children, mothers, and fathers. The book is comprised of the following…

How do some families successfully negotiate the linguistic, cultural, and psychological challenges of immigration, while others struggle to acculturate? This volume explores the complexities of immigrant family life in North America and analyzes the individual and contextual factors that influence health and well-being. Synthesizing cutting-edge…

This book presents 11 author-contributed papers covering the theory and practice of effective assessment and instruction of African American students with exceptionalities, including both disabilities and giftedness. Emphasis is on effective delivery of empowering services to African American youth and their families. The first seven papers have…

The papers in this book investigate the current state of knowledge about how families, various formal and informal community institutions, the workplace, and the marketplace have adapted to changing patterns of labor force participation and related changes in family structure and with what consequences for children. The book is divided into three…

Conceived around the notion that there are multiple sources of influence on children's development, this volume describes when, where, and how parenting matters and the major antecedents and moderators of effective parenting. The chapters of the volume are as follows: (1) "Beyond the Nurture Assumption: Testing Hypotheses about the Child's…

The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is the largest and most ambitious study undertaken by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement. Forty-five countries collected data in more than 30 languages. Five grade levels were tested in the two subject areas, so that more than half a million…

This book identifies and analyzes research studies related to the critical skills, environments, and adult interactions that contribute to young children's literacy development. Following introductory remarks on the reformation that has emerged in the language and literacy education of young children, the chapters are: (1) "Teachers' Roles in…

Largely missing from debates about family values, childcare, education, and the future of children is the complex vocation called "parenthood." This book examines parenthood in the home, the community, and in society, and identifies parental stressors that have increased since the 1960s, calling on stakeholders to provide help with…

Television now plays a major role in the socialization of children. Set within a multicultural context, this book identifies the social and cultural impact of television on the psychosocial development of children. The book also analyzes major media organizations and projects policies, practices and research directions for the future. Following an…

The essays in this book emphasize trends now shaping society that the authors believe will have a profound effect on schools in the decades to come. Topics covered include declining enrollments and increasing educational costs, the changing role of vocational education, government financing for educational quality, the role of busing, politicking…

Noting that most socioeconomic and demographic indicators are negative for Puerto Rican mothers and children, this book enhances the current knowledge about the growth and development of Puerto Rican mothers and children, and discusses the likely social origins of their suboptimal experiences. Thirteen papers are presented. The opening chapter…

Past research on African American single mothers and their families has been conducted using conventional paradigms based upon models of the dominant culture. This practice has resulted in the creation of stereotypes and misconceptions about "the Black family." In this collection of original work by an interdisciplinary group of…

This report, a continuation of "Families That Work: Children in a Changing World," presents six papers which examine the effects of working parents on the socialization and intellectual development of children. Data were obtained from approximately 75 sources which met the following criteria: information from two or more relevant domains…

Children and adolescents who enjoy healthy growth and development along six primary pathways are the students who learn well and achieve success in school and in life. But children from poorly functioning families and impoverished social networks too often find themselves without adequate preparation and support for the academic challenges that…