Parent engagement is one approach to decrease the opportunity gap for Black, American Indian, and all children of color. This report from the field describes the use of the World Café participatory approach to support parent engagement in five early childhood, culturally embedded Montessori programs. Serving the Whole Child (SWC) is a…

Every child is unique and learns in different ways. Some children are identified as needing special education services to support his or her learning at school. Parents can play a major role in shaping the services a child receives. This guidebook has been written for parents, guardians, and surrogate parents of a child (ages 3 to 21 or…

In 1997, Minnesota became the first state in the nation to pass legislation establishing an education and support program for family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) care providers. This article describes the Minnesota Family, Friend and Neighbor Grant Program and findings from an evaluation of the programs and a curriculum scan of materials used in…

In an increasing number of schools, programs are being designed to instill self discipline in children. Adapted forms of reality therapy, parent effectiveness training, and teacher effectiveness training are used as preventative measures in cooperative ventures by Parent Teacher Associations and school districts. (FG)

The Infant Follow Along Program (IFAP) is an interagency effort to improve the identification of infants and toddlers who may experience health or developmental problems because of medical or environmental risk factors. The program also facilitates data collection and referral for services for infants and families. The program is in use in an…

Over a decade ago, the Minnesota state legislature funded the Council on Quality Education to create nine exemplary and experimental pilot programs to support young children and their families. One of the early models was a family-oriented, structured preschool activity that featured weekly 2-hour sessions during which parents of 4-year-olds…

This report presents a study of policy issues related to the provision of early childhood and family education services in Minnesota. Chapter One consists of an executive summary and recommendations. Chapters Two and Three overview the concept, rationale and implementation of Minnesota's early childhood and family education pilot programs.…

During the 1976-77 school year, the program's priorities were (1) to hire a Home School Coordinator to provide counseling services for the child and to be a liaison between the school and the home; (2) to hire Instructional Aides to work closely with the teacher providing any type of assistance which would make school easier and more enjoyable for…

Compares the efficacy of a school-based health program to an equivalent home-based program with 2,250 third grade students in Minnesota. Students in the school-based program had gained more knowledge at posttest; however, students in the home-based program evidenced more psychosocial and dietary behavior change. (Author/BJV)

Materials contained in this career education implementation guide (one in a series of seven) are designed for administrators, teachers, other school staff, parents, community volunteers, school boards, and community agencies and their needs for staff development. An evening family career planning seminar on career decision making designed for…