Implementing the Foundations of Learning Project: Considerations for Preschool Intervention Research

While studies have documented the importance of strong implementation in intervention studies (e.g., see Durlak & Dupre, 2008 Durlak , J. A. , & Dupre , E. P. ( 2008 ). Implementation matters: A review of research on the influence of implementation on program outcomes and the factors affecting implementation . American Journal of Community Psychology , 41 , 327 – 350 .[Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]), more information is needed about how to ensure strong fidelity and quality of program implementation when delivering interventions under “real world conditions” and on a large scale. In this article, key lessons in implementing a demonstration and evaluation project known as the Foundations of Learning (FOL) demonstration are presented. Our discussion highlights several key components to the success of the project, including the building of effective coalitions before, and during, the delivery of the intervention to support the implementation process, as well as intensive, collaborative, and multilayered technical assistance provided as the intervention was delivered. Key lessons learned over the course of this project represent some that are highly consistent with prior research on this topic, as well as some that are unique, thus representing new areas for exploration in this burgeoning area of study.     

Youth who physically assault their parents

The relationship between physical assault upon parents by their offspring and social and psychological variables is analyzed in this study of 445 California families, half of whom are Hispanic and half Anglo. Results indicate that the assaulting of parents reflects a generalized pattern of negative parent-child relationships and diminished sense of well-being by youngsters.     

Functions of drinking for Native American and White youth

Despite long concern in the United States over alcohol consumption by adolescents and problems associated with drinking among Native Americans, few studies have dealt with the functions of drinking for Native American and White youth. The findings presented here are based on responses to a self-report questionnaire administered to ninth- through twelfth-grade students at two high schools in Fremont County, Wyoming — the county where the great majority of Wyoming's Native American population resides. Based on work by Jessor, Carman and Grossman, 30 items concerning positive-social, personal-effect, and experiential reasons for drinking were examined. Although there are some statistically significant differences in responses to individual items and statistically significant differences between Indian and White males and females on the Personal-Effect and Positive-Social categories of items, the functions of drinking appear to be quite similar for these Indian and White youth.Received his Ph.D. in sociology from Yale University in 1966. Current research interest is determining the impact of a heroin treatment program on the incidence and prevalence of heroin use in Cheyenne, Wyoming.