Policy statements of the last two decades have directed schools to enter into partnerships with parents to enhance the social, emotional, and academic growth of their children. However, in practice and scholarship, parental involvement has been constructed as attendance to school-based activities and needs. This article draws on data from an…

Parental involvement in education has long been recognized as an important indicator of student academic achievement. Teachers, administrators, policy makers, and our state and federal government continue to recognize the vital role of the parent in education. Policies and mandates, with titles such as "No Child Left Behind" and…

Under No Child Left Behind, the federal government requires school districts to use 1 percent of Title I money to fund programs that involve parents in the schools and provides another $39 million annually for 62 Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs) that provide training and information for both parents and district personnel to…

An ever growing body of research indicates that parental involvement is a key factor in the success of children in school. Studies have shown that children whose parents take an active interest in their education benefit in a number of ways. These children generally have higher academic achievement, better attendance, a sense of well-being, a…

This parents' and teachers' guide presents ways that parents and families of elementary and high school students can become involved in their children's academic progress and can enhance conditions for development of all children in their community. Topics covered in this issue are family involvement, family centers, homeless children, family…

In response to the National Education Goals panel's recognition of the role that parents can have in children's learning and school performance, the "Survey on Family and School Partnerships in Public Schools K-8" was conducted to determine the ways schools are engaging parents in their children's education and the extent to which…

The Families in Education Program of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has existed since 1987 to increase awareness of the need for schools to involve parents as partners in the education of their children. This parents' and teachers' guide presents ways that the theme for American Education Week, "Teaching Children To Think and…

The goal of the Families in Education Program of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is to increase awareness of the need for schools to involve parents as partners in the education of their children. This Spring 1998 parents' and teachers' guide encourages school staff to reflect on how well their school or district offers…

Parents can awaken their children to the joy of learning by encouraging their imagination and curiosity. This booklet is one in a series of topical books written to help parents encourage children to study, learn, and stay in school. All of the books in this series tie in with the National Education Goals for the year 2000. This booklet addresses…

Noting that students whose parents and other significant adults are actively involved in their learning are more likely to be successful in school, this paper examines eight parent and community involvement models and discusses selected strategies for initiating plans for school restructuring related to parent involvement. Models of parent…

Drastic social problems challenge teachers looking to increase parental involvement in schools. Traditional strategies to involve parents, such as inviting parents to meetings and school events, do not promote genuine interaction between home and school. Instead, they separate parents and teachers. Two-way communication between home and school is…

Project REAL was designed to address Goal 1 of the Educate America Act. Four major components were: (1) the identification of pregnant and/or parenting teens; (2) the enrollment of those identified into parental services, life skills and parenting classes; (3) weekly visits in the home to provide assistance with developmentally appropriate needs…

Discusses current definitions of intergenerational and family literacy, how school districts may become involved, strategies that families may implement, and how districts should remain part of the process that will lead to the empowerment of families and schools in the development of intergenerational literacy and the eventual achievement of the…

Renewed emphasis on parent and community involvement is critical to success of Goals 2000. U.S. Department of Education is working with broad-based coalition of parent and education groups on new Family Involvement Initiative that will facilitate cooperation of parents and families with schools and communities. Schools succeed best by making…

A longitudinal study observed and analyzed a group formed within a private Catholic school community on the eastern seaboard of the United States. The 25 parents within the group were from middle-class families and had children who were in grades 1 through 8. Meetings with group members were monitored, questionnaires were given to group members,…