Non-English speaking students lack the confidence and preparation to be verbally actively engaged in the classroom. Students may frequently display hesitation in learning to speak English, and may also lack a teacher's guidance in becoming proficient English speakers. The purpose of this research is to examine how teachers build academic…

California has a large population of Latino/a students, and for most of them Spanish is their native language. The problem is the miscommunication between Latino/a families and educators in the school setting. Teachers often do not understand Spanish and are unable to communicate with parents or students. Latino/a families are not aware of the…

This action research project involved the implementation and evaluation of a program for increased parental involvement at an elementary school in western Illinois. Evidence for the lack of parental involvement included declining membership in the Parent-Teacher Organization, elimination of the computer lab, limited library hours due to lack of…

As students lose traditional family structure, some studies indicate that their academic behavior may be affected. The purpose of this study is to measure the difference in achievement of high school students from single-parent homes compared to those from intact homes. The study is limited to Snook Independent School District (Texas),…

This report describes a program for increasing primary students' reading achievement as indicated by scores on reading series theme tests, state standards achievement test scores, achievement test scores, report card grades, and students' involvement in reading. The targeted population consisted of primary elementary school students in a…

This action research project implemented and evaluated a portfolio program for assessing student performance. The targeted population consisted of elementary and middle grade students in two schools. The inadequacy of traditional evaluation methods was documented by means of parent and staff surveys. Common discrepancies were found in student…

This study examines a program for improving home-school relationships concerning literacy development. The targeted population consists of parents and students from one first- and one second-grade classroom in an elementary school in a small midwestern city. Parent and student interaction and feelings about reading were measured by weekly reading…

Students attending high school in a large midwestern metropolitan area participated in a program designed to increase their motivation in a geometry class. Evidence of the problem included teachers' observations of off-task student behavior. Also, teachers reported that homework was not being completed as often as desired, and that students who…

This action research project sought to increase parental involvement in targeted kindergarten classrooms. Evidence for the problem included the lack of family attendance at school functions, declining membership in the parent-sponsored Booster Club, and lack of parental support for school policies. The project focused on three areas of parental…

The purpose of this study was to: (1) investigate some of the causes of lack of discipline in secondary schools in the Congo Republic according to teachers, students, and parents; (2) look into the effects that discipline problems have on the students' performances and their development as responsible citizens and (3) suggest or recommend measures…

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parent and teacher estimates of a child's reading ability and to determine the relationship between the facts about a child's reading ability that a teacher wants to report and the facts that a parent considers important to learn. Other variables related to student achievement and…

This action research project addressed the problem of declining parent involvement at a Midwestern, suburban elementary school. In order to document parent involvement issues at the site, parent, educator, and student surveys were administered. Surveys were analyzed for effectiveness of home-school communication, perceived barriers to and benefits…

An in-depth analysis of a school's home-school-community relations program from the perspective of the school's staff and the citizens within its attendance area was conducted. The study was designed to determine the programmatic and nonprogrammatic activities and to examine the existing relationships between: (1) the operating functions, (2) the…

This action research project evaluated the impact of strategies to increase parental involvement and improve student interest in academics and school-related activities. Participating were students in an eighth grade social studies class and third through seventh grade learning disabilities classes in a rural school setting. The need for increased…

This paper describes a program designed to increase student motivation to complete homework assignments. The targeted population consisted of 3rd, 4th, 9th, and 10th grade students attending schools in the Midwest. Analysis of probable cause data reveals that parental involvement can be insufficient and misdirected. Homework can lack relevance to…