Good health directly affects the educational performance of migrant children. However, there is little nationwide, accurate information on the health status of migrant farmworkers, and even less on their children. This digest summarizes recent information on migrant children's health status. Compared to all U.S. children, migrant children have a…

The Family Support Act (FSA) of 1988 provides opportunities for educators to form linkages with other agencies to strengthen families and help them move toward self-sufficiency. The FSA affords professionals chances to forge critical interagency connections and expand the range and capacity of programs for learners at risk. A strategy for forming…

A brief overview is presented on the incidence of AIDS among the adolescent population. Some recommendations are included on promoting behavior change through educational intervention. References from the ERIC data base are included. (JD)

"The ERIC Review" announces research results, publications, and new programs relevant to each issue's theme topic. This issue focuses on early intervention and its role in making higher education accessible to all students, especially those who are traditionally underrepresented or at risk. An introductory section contains one article,…

This digest reviews various longitudinal studies that examined the long-term effects of programs that served young children living in poverty and at risk of school failure. Concerning program effects on school performance, all studies that collected data on children's intellectual performance found that their program groups had better intellectual…

According to a national survey, about 80% of American Indian and Alaska Native youth have experimented with alcohol or drugs, compared to about 50% of youth nationwide. Particular risk factors for Native youth include low self-esteem, post-traumatic stress, and culture conflict arising from differences between traditional Native values and values…

The children who have generally been termed "at-risk" are usually poor and often from other cultural backgrounds. Schools need to find ways to reach and involve at-risk families with their children's education. Steps include collaboration with other community agencies, helping parents identify what they are capable of doing, and…

This digest summarizes information on incidence in and identification and intervention of potentially suicidal children and youth with disabilities. Estimates suggesting that some categories of exceptional youth have higher suicide rates than the general population are cited. Suicide risk factors and signs that a student is potentially suicidal…

This brief paper summarizes the current literature concerning youth aggression and violence especially risk, resilience, and prevention. It summarizes risk factors for aggression and violence including child characteristics (e.g., hyperactivity, risk-taking, emotional disturbance), home conditions (e.g., harsh and ineffective parental discipline,…

This digest describes post-traumatic loss debriefing, a structured group process approach to help survivors manage their physical, cognitive, and emotional responses to a traumatic loss. It discusses seven stages of debriefing: (1) Introductory Stage; (2) Fact Stage; (3) Life Review Stage; (4) Feeling Stage; (5) Reaction Stage; (6) Learning Stage;…

Youth who experience difficulties in personal and social development, often struggle to integrate themselves into society and into the labor market. This digest outlines a model which fosters social and labor market integration for such youth. The model consists of three dimensions: (1) psychovocational; (2) sociopsychological; and (3)…

The "At-Risk Youth in Crisis Handbook" series has been designed to promote inter-agency agreement on procedures for schools to follow in managing crisis situations with at-risk students. Volume 1 explains the rationale for the Handbook, tells how it was developed, and guides school districts in adapting the Handbook to meet their own…

Following mention of the literature and pioneers in the field of at-risk family involvement in education, this document discusses the history of the term "at risk" and its use, identification of children at risk, and the two major risk factors: poverty and minority status. The important connections and assets missing from the at-risk child's world…

Vocational Education (VE) has long been recognized for its "hands-on" approach to education and ability to demonstrate a connection between school and employment. The consensus of the literature is that VE facilitates student skill development, retention in school, and employment. According to the research, reducing the dropout rate is the most…

Many stay-in-school programs support some individuals but do not serve the larger school population. This digest describes a project that would integrate an array of interventions for "at-risk" youth with planned organizational and curricular re-structuring activities. The project consists of 8 groups of 55 to 60 students. While the…