Adopted and permanently placed children in education: from rainbows to reality

Children who leave care into adoption and special guardianship are often considered by schools and local authorities to have found their “happy ending.” Yet there is growing evidence that the impact of prenatal and early trauma, abuse and neglect does not disappear upon placement in a permanent family. Rates of social, emotional and mental health difficulties remain high, and the group has pronounced educational needs. Whilst having high levels of involvement with education and health services, families report significant difficulties in mobilising understanding, support and provision. In the context of growing numbers of children in England finding permanence through adoption and special guardianship, and the Department for Education’s increasing focus on addressing the needs of this group, this paper highlights the key role of Educational Psychology Services in supporting adopted and other permanently placed children by providing training, consultation, assessment, intervention and research for children and their families, their schools, and the local authorities.     

On finding the shortest distance of a point from a line: Which method do you prefer?

The formula for the shortest distance of a point from a line can be derived in several different ways. Some typical methods are taught at the elementary (i.e., high-school and junior college) level. However, solving such ‘school-book’ problems using advanced mathematical methods is often overlooked and neglected. This article illustrates how this formula can be derived in various ways. Such a comparison will not only encourage the reader to explore and understand how and why mathematical techniques work, but it will also help understand the common thread between different branches of mathematics. This exercise also shows that ‘the best way’ to solve a mathematical problem is a misnomer.     

Behavioral control and resiliency in the onset of alcohol and illicit drug use: a prospective study from preschool to adolescence

The developmental trajectories of behavioral control and resiliency from early childhood to adolescence and their effects on early onset of substance use were examined. Behavioral control is the tendency to express or contain one's impulses and behaviors. Resiliency is the ability to adapt flexibly one's characteristic level of control in response to the environment. Study participants were 514 children of alcoholics and matched controls from a longitudinal community sample (Time 1 age in years: M =4.32, SD =0.89). Children with slower rates of increase in behavioral control were more likely to use alcohol and other drugs in adolescence. Children with higher initial levels of resiliency were less likely to begin using alcohol.