CONTACT: Gina Hoagland
Phone: 301.570.2111
April 13, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Olney, MD--The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) today announced that the article, "When a Child Discloses Sexual Abuse: Immediate and Appropriate Teacher Responses," has been selected as a finalist for one of the industry's most prestigious awards--the Association of Educational Publishers' 2001 Distinguished Achievement Award.

The article, written by J. Sue Austin, and published in the Fall 2000 issue of ACEI's journal, Childhood Education, is a finalist in the Feature Article category. "We are honored to have been selected by EdPress as a finalist for this award," said Gerald Odland, Executive Director of ACEI. "Sue Austin's insightful article on child sexual abuse reflects the ever-changing roles teachers must fill, and illustrates their impact on our children's lives."

Sue Austin is Associate Professor, Counselor Education, at Southeastern Louisiana University. In "When a Child Discloses Sexual Abuse," she notes that teachers are often the first to learn about abuse because children frequently perceive their teachers to be a safe haven for disclosure. "Teachers are in an ideal position to protect children from abuse," Austin says. "It is crucial that educators know the appropriate way to respond to these disclosures and to reduce the trauma suffered by these victims."

This is the third time that a Childhood Education article has been named a finalist for the Distinguished Achievement Award. Twice before, in 1992 and 2000, the honored articles went on to win the category.

The rigorous selection process makes being a finalist a noteworthy honor. Two judging panels were drawn from a national pool of writing, publishing, and design experts. No more than four finalists were selected in each category; in a few categories, no finalists were selected.

The Association of Educational Publishers' 2001 Distinguished Achievement Awards will be presented Friday, June 8, 2001, at a banquet to be held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.