Education; Teacher Role IDENTIFIERS *Teacher Knowledge

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that each year more than 8,000 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) babies are born, and that many more babies go undiagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE), a less severe condition. FAS and FAE have been identified as major contributors to poor memory, shorter attention spans, lower IQs, diminished achievement levels, and other learning disabilities and behavior problems in young children. A survey was conducted to ascertain teachers ' knowledge of the syndrome, characteristics that typify alcohol-related birth defects, and prevention measures that may be shared with parents in a counseling session. Subjects were 285 Michigan teachers in preschool regular education, preschool special education, kindergarten, and Head Start. Results of the survey indicated that: (1) the teachers had a moderate awareness of FAS and FAE; (2) the syndrome was a problem of growing significance in thei