This article is focused on identifying the current issues in elementary education in the United States. In each of these issues, elementary educators are at the crossroads looking for solutions and directions. Based on the review of literature, the authors pinpoint the upcoming challenges elementary school educators will be facing in the future.…

There are a number of steps that parents can take to ensure that a child realizes the benefits of Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM). The first is to become familiar with CBM. This article describes steps for parents both when CBM has not been implemented in the classroom and following adoption.

Examines several factors limiting the implementation of the whole language approach, including mystification of the concept, lack of parent involvement, and overzealous implementation. Discusses ways to avoid these problems. (MM)

Explores the efforts of two African-American principals of an innercity elementary school to involve parents in all levels of the educational process through school reform. Despite similar backgrounds, the principals differed in their understanding of the community and their position in it. One was successful in improving home/school relations,…

The Achieving-Behaving-Caring (ABC) Program is an evidence-based approach to addressing the needs of elementary students at risk for emotional and behavioral difficulties and promoting successful home-school collaboration. This practical guide demonstrates how classroom teachers and parents can work together to boost individual children's…

In 1987, Yale University's Edward Zigler introduced the School of the 21st Century (21C), a model designed to enable schools to provide family support and child care services for children from infancy to age 12. Criticized as unfeasible, the decade-old program is now operating in 500 schools in 17 states and has helped redefine the family/school…

A model program was designed and implemented to effectively develop and maintain communication skills in the children of an urban K-6 school. The goals of the program were to reverse a trend in under-achievement in five academic areas, to identify and develop potential in communication skills in two targeted groups of children, to create staff…

Presented are guidelines for establishing, housing, and publicizing a Parent Drop-In Center, a library/ information clearinghouse where parents can learn about child development and early childhood education, borrow toys, and communicate with teachers. (SJL)

Describes different methods of giving parents information about changes that take place when a school system implements the whole language approach. Observes that the natural mistrust and uncertainty associated with change can be eliminated when students have positive attitudes toward their learning experiences. (MM)

Schools in Los Angeles County, Chattanooga, Boston, and San Diego have established family centers offering space (a room, bus, or neighborhood apartment) where family members can meet with parent leaders and school staff to plan and implement programs and partnerships. Varied purposes, activities, funding, and staffing are discussed. (MLH)

The primary purpose of this handbook is to provide the parent coordinator of the parent-powered family resource center with a specific guide for the development of a center. The handbook considers that a family resource center should exist to encourage family-school partnerships and to help strengthen parent-child interaction--it provides a…

Poised to help legally homeless parents become their children's best teachers, instructors in a Nevada literacy program found that human relationships took precedence over academics. Instructors learned the importance of renaming the program (to avoid association with prior academic failure) and blending literacy activities with hot meals, family…

This report evaluates the 1990-91 implementation of the Parent Leadership Training Program in Washington State. Teams from each of seven elementary schools received a manual of materials and guidance on recruiting parents, involving teaching staff, and providing support services. They then implemented the program in their schools. The first part…

In the second year of a longitudinal case study, the impact of P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, on 12 elementary students in special education, and changes in four problem areas outlined in the law were evaluated: 1) individualized educational programs (IEP's), 2) least restrictive environment, 3) protection in…

The objective of the magnet schools concept is to create quality educational programs with distinctive features which can attract or retain pupils of various ethnic types, and thereby contribute to racial balance in the schools. Magnet schools are intended to promote desegregation by permitting parents to make voluntary choices among schools,…