By Ronald Kotulak
Tribune Staff Writer
September 6, 2000

A new report by the Department of Health and Human Services and other groups looked at the research on factors related to risk of school failure and found that "people skills" and not cognitive abilities predict success in school. A summary of the report in the Chicago Tribune stated " parents can improve a child's chances of success in kindergarten by fostering a strong relationship that enhances confidence, independence, curiosity, motivation, persistence, self-control, cooperation, empathy and the ability to communicate." The entire report is available at:

http://chicagotribune.com/news/metro/chicago/article/0%2C2669%2CART-46742%2CFF.htm