Youth sports can be a positive and enjoyable experience for children if sports are seen in the right perspective. This article presents guidelines for youth sports, based on the National Standards for Youth Sports, and describes a national campaign called Say Yes to Better Sports for Kids. (IAH)

Regardless of career choice, all students will need to be mathematically powerful to fully participate in daily living. How parents can ensure that schools adequately prepare children for the future is discussed. The need for parents to encourage success in mathematics is emphasized. (MT)

This article describes a decade-long program of values education initiated by a public school system, with support from the local Parent Teacher Association council. The article also discusses cooperative efforts to develop and implement a program that includes the study and practical application of ethics and conduct codes. (IAH)

Parents can help young children learn to read or become better readers. Activities designed to be done at home each evening are suggested to teach and reinforce beginning reading skills. (MT)

Describes an interactive videoconference on change in local mathematics education to train participants in involving local schools and communities in educational reform. Includes a checklist to evaluate students and teachers titled "What Should I Look for in a Math Classroom?" (SM)

When planning a conference with the school principal, parents should remember that principals do not have the autonomy of those from past eras. To help ensure a successful meeting, parents can plan ahead, outline expectations, and not expect an immediate solution. (DF)

The New Haven (Connecticut) public school system has been successful in involving parents in their children's reading instruction through several activities: (1) reading project exhibits; (2) Parents' Center, where parents meet to discuss educational concerns; (3) parent brochures; (4) parent tutors; (5) home-school book projects; and (6)…

This article stresses the importance of local PTA involving all parents in their programs, especially parents from minority groups. This article includes a checklist for rating local PTA. Also included is a brief case study of one PTA's successful efforts to increase the ethnic and language diversity of its membership. (IAH)

Describes how to plan enjoyable family times for parents and children. Activities can be based on the child's special interests, the parent's work or hobby, or a sense of adventure. The article suggests places to visit such as national wildlife preserves, aquariums, farms, newspapers, factories, candy stores, and greenhouses. (SM)

Resources, suggestions, and examples are listed to guide parent-teacher associations who wish to hold interesting health meetings, focusing on teaching parents about their children's health and development issues, involving students, and facilitating parent-child communication. (CB)

Ways in which parent teacher associations can help teachers create a favorable learning environment and improve teachers' working and living conditions include: fostering parent involvement; integrating in-school and out-of-school activities; supporting efforts to upgrade teachers' salaries; and welcoming teachers into the community.

Several suggested activities from the National Parent Teacher Association are suggested for involving parents in education. Categories discussed include: parents as participants in their children's education; parents as school volunteers and supporters; and parents as participants in decision making. (CB)

A list of questions has been compiled to help teachers work with parents on common reading problems of students. (DF)

The new national Parent Teacher Association (PTA) president challenges PTAs to make children the first priority in U.S. schools, communities, businesses, state legislatures, and the federal government, arguing that if children are first, no matter what other priorities occur, there will be funding and programs for them. (SM)

The transition to junior high school is often as hard for both children and parents as starting kindergarten. The school and home have a great need to stay in contact. Eight suggestions to help children through this difficult period are noted. (MT)