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Products -- SFTS May 2005 Newsletter
SCHOOL READINESS INFORMATION
A study by the RAND Corporation found that the most important factors associated with the educational
achievement of children are not race, ethnicity, or immigrant status. Instead, the most critical factors
appear to be socioeconomic ones, such as parental education levels, neighborhood poverty, parental
occupational status, and family income. The study also examined school readiness and found that programs
that improve the home literacy environment and improve parenting skills are likely to improve school
readiness, even for children from disadvantaged families and neighborhoods. A summary of the research
is available at:
http://www.rand.org/publications/randreview/issues/fall2004/class.html.
NEW RESEARCHES
Emotions are strong determinants of how well a child will learn or remember information. A student who is
unhappy, stressed, or even in fear will not learn well. This article looks at the connections between
students' increased stress in the classroom and standardized testing. To view this article, check out
http://www.brainconnection.com/topics/?main=fa/test-stress.
A new RAND Corporation study, The Economics of Investing in Universal Preschool Education in California,
analyzed the economic returns from investing in preschool education, and found that universal preschool for
California's 4-year-olds would bring about $2.62 in benefits for every dollar spent, greatly reducing
special education needs, juvenile arrests and the number of children held back a grade. The study also
found that a high-quality preschool program would create a more qualified, internationally competitive
workforce and foster economic growth. This report is available to download at
http://www.rand.org/publications/MG/MG349/.
A generation ago, autism was considered rare. Today, the Centers for Disease Control estimates the disorder
affects as many as one in every 166 children born in America. A recent article in USA TODAY looks at obstacles
facing autism research and what is being done to find a cure. To view this article, check out
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-03-28-autism-questions_x.htm.
NEW RESOURCES
Access to books is essential to reading development. However, 61 percent of low-income families have no books for the children in
their homes. The Literacy Site gives you a way to share the magic of books and promote the love of reading. By visiting this new
site and clicking the red "Give Free Books" button you help give books to children in need, often the first book of their
own. Funding for the books is paid by site sponsors and goes to First Book, an award winning nonprofit that uses all funding
generated by The Literacy Site to provide free books to children from low-income families - books that they can take home and keep.
The Literacy Site is new, and its success depends on the number of people who visit the site every day. For more information, check
out http://www.theliteracysite.com.
The Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University created this Web course, written for health
professionals and students serving people with developmental disabilities. This comprehensive Web course consists of 13
instructional modules which address issues that surface when abuse or neglect of children or adults with developmental
disabilities is suspected. The modules include video interviews, graphics, interactive content, and self-study questions.
For more information, check out
http://www.vcu.edu/partnership/maltreatment/.
The Dana Foundation is offering a free, informative teaching tool to secondary and post-secondary classroom teachers.
This free classroom kit includes 30 copies of the "Sourcebook of Brain Science," a user-friendly introduction to brain science,
as well as an introductory video. The Sourcebook includes an overview of genes and the brain, coverage of stem cell research,
essays on recent major advances in brain research, and an illustrated glossary of important brain science terms. For more
information, check out
http://www.dana.org/books/press/classroomsrcbk/.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
The Target Community Giving Program supports nonprofit organizations in the communities where the company's stores are located.
The company's grants focus on three areas: accessible arts for families, family violence prevention, and early
childhood reading. Most grants average between $1,000 and $3,000. Applications will be accepted through May 31,
2005. For application information, check out
http://target.com/target_group/community_giving/local_giving.jhtml.
The RadioShack StreetSentz Community Grant program is designed to bring community impact through programs
or projects conducted by local nonprofit organizations. Funding currently focuses on two areas: prevention
of family violence/abuse; and child abduction. For more information, check out
http://www.radioshackcorporation.com/cc/contributions.html.
UPCOMING SFTS TRAINING AND CONFERENCES
"Growing a Community" Great Valley Conference featuring Dr. Bruce Perry speaking on "Mobilizing the
Community: The Importance of Brain Development"
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer will be giving the luncheon keynote address
Location: Radisson Hotel, Sacramento
For more information, check out http://www.greatvalley.org
Sacramento Domestic Violence Collaborative Second Annual Conference on Children, Families and Domestic
Violence
Location: Radisson Hotel, Sacramento
Contact: Sgt. Dave Cropp, Sacramento Police Department
DCROPP@pd.cityofsacramento.org
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