"What an awesome responsibility: To shape the future by how we raise our child today."

"Hugs don't just touch skin - they touch hearts and souls"

"If you wanted to do just one great thing for your child every day, let it be reading."

"Children are unfinished adults. They have all the same ingredients but they just aren't cooked yet."

Now in its second edition, Accent On Parenting; Tools for Building 21st Century Kids is an independent study course for use by individuals or by agencies offering parenting courses.

In this new and expanded edition, you will find:

pretest (CA code requirement)
130-page course that fulfills the CA Welfare and Institutions Code)
glossary of terms for greater understanding of concepts
index for finding text material easily
190-question open-book test that must be passed at 85% or higher
certificate of completion equivalent to 60 hours, meaning 120-180 hours of study and testing time
chapter-by-chapter self-assessment tools for self-reflection

Available now in English and available by July 1st in Spanish. See order form for description of possibilities.

WHO:

Independent learners
The ill
Geographically isolated
Problematic schedules that preclude classroom attendance
Pregnant minors
Independent living skills
Reunification
Divorce/custody
Co-parenting

WHERE:

At home, independently OR in conjunction with a discussion or study group

The first edition of AOP began our methodical approach to verifying course content, testing methodology, and student learning. In 1999a test population of 75 diverse parents (½ mandated; ½ volunteer) spent approximately six weeks reading the workbook and taking the test. Nine case workers were trained to monitor participation. All participants took the examination and all case workers critiqued the process as well as the course content and construction. 68 parents passed the test at 85% or above; 5 parents passed the test at the 80-84% level; 2 parents failed on their first attempt. 1 of the 2 parents was identified to have a reading problem and a trained adult literacy volunteer worked with her to read the material more accurately. On the second test, this parent passed with a score of 88%. The other parent, a college student, scored 45% on the first test and 56% on the second test. In an interview with him, he admitted he thought he could "psych the test out" because he was used to taking tests in college. We did not allow this parent to try a third time.

The case workers were invaluable. First, 25 of them volunteered to take the course. At first they were skeptical that this was a valid method of instruction. However, after taking the course, they were able to confirm the content, structure, and testing methods. They also made excellent suggestions which were incorporated into the system. Some of their suggestions included additional information on sexual abuse, how cultural traditions may clash with a law, and the value of referring parents to someone of authority within 'the system" for clarification or guidance. It was also a group decision to set the passing score minimum at 85%, with two allowable attempts. If there are two failures, the client is referred to a case worker and locked out of further testing attempts.

No negative feedback about the course or the system of service has been received. On the contrary, much excitement seems to be generating because of its potential as a positive way to deliver parenting skills education for parents in a variety of circumstances where they may be better served than in the on-site classroom setting.

AOP was approved on September 19, 2001, by the Riverside County Department of Social Services, Child Protective Services Division, after a two year peer review that inlcuded the California Department of Social Services. In October, 2006, Commissioner Thomas Hudspeth decreed approval o AOP for any Superior Court purposes.

Accent On Parenting is a very effective self study tool AND it can also be used by counselors, caseworkers, or trainers in a classroom setting.


HOME ARTICLES BLOG CONTENTS VALIDATION ORDER PARENTING COURSES PARENTING BOOKS PARTNERS ABOUT US CONTACT US Wednesday, November 19, 2008
"What an awesome responsibility: To shape the future by how we raise our child today." "Hugs don't just touch skin - they touch hearts and souls" "If you wanted to do just one great thing for your child every day, let it be reading." "Children are unfinished adults. They have all the same ingredients but they just aren't cooked yet."	Now in its second edition, Accent On Parenting; Tools for Building 21st Century Kids is an independent study course for use by individuals or by agencies offering parenting courses. In this new and expanded edition, you will find: pretest (CA code requirement) 130-page course that fulfills the CA Welfare and Institutions Code) glossary of terms for greater understanding of concepts index for finding text material easily 190-question open-book test that must be passed at 85% or higher certificate of completion equivalent to 60 hours, meaning 120-180 hours of study and testing time chapter-by-chapter self-assessment tools for self-reflection Available now in English and available by July 1st in Spanish. See order form for description of possibilities. WHO: Independent learners The ill Geographically isolated Problematic schedules that preclude classroom attendance Pregnant minors Independent living skills Reunification Divorce/custody Co-parenting WHERE: At home, independently OR in conjunction with a discussion or study group The first edition of AOP began our methodical approach to verifying course content, testing methodology, and student learning. In 1999a test population of 75 diverse parents (½ mandated; ½ volunteer) spent approximately six weeks reading the workbook and taking the test. Nine case workers were trained to monitor participation. All participants took the examination and all case workers critiqued the process as well as the course content and construction. 68 parents passed the test at 85% or above; 5 parents passed the test at the 80-84% level; 2 parents failed on their first attempt. 1 of the 2 parents was identified to have a reading problem and a trained adult literacy volunteer worked with her to read the material more accurately. On the second test, this parent passed with a score of 88%. The other parent, a college student, scored 45% on the first test and 56% on the second test. In an interview with him, he admitted he thought he could "psych the test out" because he was used to taking tests in college. We did not allow this parent to try a third time. The case workers were invaluable. First, 25 of them volunteered to take the course. At first they were skeptical that this was a valid method of instruction. However, after taking the course, they were able to confirm the content, structure, and testing methods. They also made excellent suggestions which were incorporated into the system. Some of their suggestions included additional information on sexual abuse, how cultural traditions may clash with a law, and the value of referring parents to someone of authority within 'the system" for clarification or guidance. It was also a group decision to set the passing score minimum at 85%, with two allowable attempts. If there are two failures, the client is referred to a case worker and locked out of further testing attempts. No negative feedback about the course or the system of service has been received. On the contrary, much excitement seems to be generating because of its potential as a positive way to deliver parenting skills education for parents in a variety of circumstances where they may be better served than in the on-site classroom setting. AOP was approved on September 19, 2001, by the Riverside County Department of Social Services, Child Protective Services Division, after a two year peer review that inlcuded the California Department of Social Services. In October, 2006, Commissioner Thomas Hudspeth decreed approval o AOP for any Superior Court purposes. Accent On Parenting is a very effective self study tool AND it can also be used by counselors, caseworkers, or trainers in a classroom setting.