Children do better academically if fathers are involved, regardless if the father lives with his child. This kit was developed for educators and other professionals who are working to increase family involvement in education. The kit outlines strategies for involving fathers in children's learning at home, at school, and in the community. The kit…

This study looked at New Chance, a voluntary randomized trial of an intensive program for teenage mothers and their children that operated nationally between 1989 and 1992. The study examined the effects of maternal psychosocial well being, intensity of work and educational pursuits, home environment, and use of childcare on combined experimental…

Stressing that children's development in diverse cultures follows different paths, this book describes children's development in its cultural context. The book illustrates that the everyday work, school, and play activities provided for children vary from one culture to another depending on the social and economic structure of the cultures and…

In rural Swaziland, fathers often migrate for work, leaving wives and children behind. The family is denied the presence of a husband, father, and role model, as well as economic support, which fathers often fail to remit home regularly. A longitudinal study investigated the effects of parent availability and other home characteristics on the…

This report details the 27th annual study to examine the attitudes of student leaders in U.S. high schools. Participating in the survey were 3,370 adolescents, primarily 16- and 17-year-olds, who had been featured in the 1996 edition of "Who's Who Among American High School Students." The report presents demographic information on the survey…

This book is the second to present the results on a study of how children's practice of speech, as shaped by family interaction, affects learning to talk. Participating in the study were 42 diverse families with young children. Each month for 2.5 years the interactions between 42 one- to two-year-olds and their parents were recorded as the…

This book offers guidance for parents of children with disabilities who are being educated in inclusive settings. It provides background information on how children learn and the specific difficulties experienced by children with learning problems. It suggests strategies for creating better learning environments at home and at school and for…

This digest discusses the contextual factors that affect students' learning of a second language. These individual, social, and societal factors can be considered from the perspective of the language, the learner, and the learning process. These perspectives are discussed as they relate to learning any second language, with a particular focus on…

For a large portion of the children of the United States, vocational education must mean education in agriculture and the art of life on the farm. In recognition of this fact, agriculture is now taught in some way and to some extent in hundreds of public high schools and in the lower schools of many of the States. Possibly the greatest difficulty…

Data gathered from a national sample of 17-year-old high school students were used to correlate social studies achievement and attitude scores with various constructs previously determined to affect learning. Several significant correlations were found, both positively and negatively affecting learning outcomes. (CJ)

Examined feelings of 132 late adolescents entering college toward their mothers, fathers, and closest siblings. Findings from questionnaires included that emotional support of mothers and siblings is more important to women, that discussion of feelings and activities with these family members occurs more often with women, and that men feel more…

Evaluated over 6 years a comprehensive treatment program for abusive families in Spain. Findings were similar to those obtained for similar programs in the United States and other developed countries. Lowest success rates were found for neglectful and abusive-neglectful families. Dropout and nondropout families differed in presence of alcohol…

Examined relations among maternal depressive symptoms, family discord, and adolescent psychological adjustment. Found that maternal depressive symptoms were related to subsequent adolescent depressive symptoms, conduct problems, and academic difficulties for girls but not boys. Girls' greater vulnerability to family discord accounted for the…

Studied influence of maternal versus paternal support for pregnant and parenting African American adolescents who reported supportive or problematic interactions, or both, with their parents. Found more support from mothers despite equal relationship problem levels with both parents; support of both parents was associated with lower depression…

Examines the "Handbook of Research on Social Studies Teaching and Learning's" section on context effect. Reviews influences that shape social studies, including research, student groups, family environment, mass media (especially television), testing, curriculum mandates, and local-to-national community pressures. (CH)