Middle grades teachers want early adolescents to take responsibility for their own learning and success in school. One way to encourage this is with "interactive homework," which enables students to lead conversations with a parent or family partner about something interesting they are learning in class. An exploratory study tested…

Middle grades teachers want early adolescents to take responsibility for their own learning and success in school. One way to encourage this is with "interactive homework," which enables students to lead conversations with a parent or family partner about something interesting they are learning in class. An exploratory study tested…

This is a must-have, research-based guide for all schools serving culturally diverse elementary and middle grade students and their communities. It's filled with fun, practical, highly effective strategies for raising awareness and engaging all families in their children's education--a sure path toward increased student success! Get detailed…

Educators at all school levels know that successful students--at all ability levels--have families who stay informed and involved in their children's education. Yet many middle level and high school teachers report that the only time they contact families is when students are in trouble. This disconnect between knowledge and behavior can be…

Discusses research that found that the more teachers involve parents in their teaching practice, the more parents will be involved in their children's education and will recognize the efforts and merits of teachers. (JOW)

This article cites middle schools nationwide that are using various methods to partner with parents, ensuring that not only is entering middle school a smoother transition but that giving parents a better understanding of the changing curriculum is a top priority. Over 200 middle level schools are addressing No Child Left Behind requirements to…

Examined school officials' efforts to implement family and community involvement activities to reduce the number of disciplinary actions and ensure school climates focused on learning. Longitudinal data from elementary and secondary schools indicated that regardless of schools' prior discipline rates, the more family and community involvement…

As the articles in this "Kappan" special section show, leaders at the national, state, district, and school levels are following new paths to partnership between schools and families. Most programs make teachers' jobs easier and should continue throughout childhood and adolescence and include all families without requiring frequent…

Discusses practices of several schools in the area of parent involvement. Five types of involvement are identified: (1) basic parental obligations, (2) basic school obligations, (3) parent involvement at school, (4) parent involvement in learning at home, and (5) parent involvement in governance and advocacy. (CH)

Research regarding parent involvement in their child's education is summarized. Parent involvement practices that may be developed when home and school computers are added as resources are discussed. (MT)

Presents the findings of a survey of parents' experiences with different kinds of parent involvement. Views school and family relations from the parents' perspective and suggests that parents favor programs that stress cooperation between school and home. (DR)

This study used data drawn from about 2,300 parents of children in eight Chapter 1, inner-city Baltimore (Maryland) elementary and middle schools to examine the extent of parent involvement at home and at school. Also examined was the extent to which the schools used practices designed to involve parents. Survey questionnaires included over 75…

A comparative study found that parents and principals use different criteria when judging the same teachers. Principals are influenced by situational factors and the extra work that establishes some teachers' leadership. Parents are influenced by the connections teachers make with families and the quality of classroom life their children…

Several major issues related to parent participation are described in the comments of over 1,000 teachers who responded to a survey regarding their practices in the area of parent involvement. Eight issues that may prompt new research in this area are identified. (MP)

To study the effects over time of teacher practices concerning parent involvement on student achievement test scores, longitudinal data from 293 students (in Baltimore, Maryland, Grades 3 and 5) who took the California Achievement Test in the fall and spring of the 1980-81 school year, were analyzed. The students were in the classrooms of 14…