Presents practical guidelines for starting a family center in a school as a place set aside for making the school accessible and helpful to family members and encouraging involvement in their children's learning. Funding, cultural sensitivity, activities, transforming the school culture, and outreach are discussed. (SLD)

Establishes a base for research on parent centers and their effects through a survey of 28 elementary and secondary schools nationwide that are running parent centers. Parent-family centers are emerging as a vehicle for enhancing parental involvement in schools in a number of ways. (SLD)

Profiles the development and operation of a parent center in a Boston (Massachusetts) elementary school, the Paul A. Dever School. The school, with a high percentage of minority and low-income students, finds the parent center an important step in moving toward its goals of success for each child. (SLD)

A family-focused approach to schools and community service requires acknowledging the central role families play in children's well-being, shifting the roles of service institutions to reflect this, and creating community supports that assist families. Implementing this approach requires time for understanding and partnership. (SLD)

Describes the Family Math program for elementary school students and their families in Springfield (Massachusetts). Goals include the following: (1) increase minority parent participation; (2) overcome math anxiety; and (3) encourage mathematics participation. (FMW)