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)

Outlines the principles underlying the development of alternative schools in Community School District Four in New York (New York). Emphasizes the importance of the involvement of students, parents and professional staff in decision-making. (FMW)

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)

Provides guidelines for replicating promising parent-involvement programs from research in schools. Setting goals and choosing programs carefully to match these goals are vital in assuring that programs live up to expectations. Successful programs are comprehensive, collaborative, and adaptable; have ongoing training and technical assistance; and…

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 Public School 146, a public elementary school in New York City where the principal has created a school community that builds on the strengths of the parents and makes the school an extended family for each child. Describes special services, a student leadership program, and student achievement gains. (JB)

Legislation in 1977 strengthened the role of school councils, comprised of teachers, parents, and students, in South Carolina to increase community and parent participation in schools. Accomplishments achieved and obstacles encountered by school councils are discussed. Aspects of effective councils are identified. (BJV)

Explores issues faced by designers of school choice systems as numbers and types of choice arrangements proliferate and become more complex. Defines elements of a successful system of choice. The system developed will depend on the intentions, assumptions, and commitments present in the initial design. (SLD)

Interviews with 150 low-income parents in three countries reveal that their low involvement with the schools was due to the fact that teachers and administrators have a substandard view of low-socioeconomic status families, and the parents have low assessments of their own educational effectiveness. Empowerment programs in each country are…