Parent participation with learning, defined here as parental engagement, has been a particular educational policy focus in many countries in recent decades. Grounded in neoliberal education sector reforms, the relationship between parents, learning, and schools has been reframed over this period. Using a genealogical approach, this article…

Active parental involvement (PI) in any child's academic performance is regarded as an essential aspect to enhance high learner achievement particularly in disadvantaged communities. The purpose of the study reported on was linked to the growing notion that PI is a crucial asset that may have important consequences for teaching and learning. The…

A Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) framework was used in this study to gather and analyze the perceptions of mothers involved in a critical family literacy program designed to foster social and emotional development. Through narrative inquiry, participants discussed perceptions of their children's social-emotional development and the…

Families play important roles in children's learning. Yet, teachers' values and beliefs may sway how families may participate in assessment of their child's learning within early childhood education. This paper reports on a qualitative case study in a New Zealand early childhood setting that explored teachers' views about involving families in…

Describes the need for parent involvement in the public schools and the importance of a sound parent-school relationship. Describes four levels of parent involvement with schools and several methods of parent-school communication. (SB)

Shares the collaboration of the authors in the development of a reading/writing, literature-based curriculum. Uses "Sesame Street" print materials to connect home and school. (MG)

Using as a framework concerns and problems which two early childhood educators encountered in connection with curriculum in programs for infants and toddlers, this guide focuses on common questions about child developmental needs shared by caregivers and parents. The chapters consider the following questions: (1) "What Is Curriculum?"…

Reviews major tenets of the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act amendments of 1997, including strengthening of the role of parents, ensuring access to the general education curriculum, modification of discipline procedures, and changes in how Individualized Education Programs are developed and written. Discusses potential…

Describes the process of implementing a positive multicultural educational plan in the early-childhood classroom. Explores techniques in expanding teacher knowledge, changing teacher attitudes, and implementing new ideas; also covers skills necessary to making multicultural education effective, what the plan should teach children, opportunities…

This case study examines one School Community Consultative Committee (SCCC) involved in planning and implementing a primary school Human Relationships Education program in Australia. Developments on the local level that have led to this type of parent participation are outlined. Findings from two literature reviews on parent participation are…

Three papers from the 1980 American Educational Research Association Conference, with an introduction and afterword, examine the evidence, possibilities, and problems for parental involvement in curriculum decision-making. The introduction, by Ralph Tyler, places parental involvement in education in its historical context, summarizes the three…

The intent of this symposium report is to share information with educators and other professionals who work with American Indian exceptional children. In this monograph, most symposium presentations, and in some cases the ensuring discussion, are summarized. Introductory remarks are provided by Gil Pena of the All-Indian Pueblo Council, and this…

This publication is intended to be used by school districts in California that are in the process of developing district and individual school master plans for restructuring educational programs for kindergarten and grades 1-3. A number of considerations pertinent to development of these master plans are outlined: (1) district- and school-level…

Discusses and defines media literacy. Topics include the pervasive influence of television; viewing habits; effects of media illiteracy; media education, including teaching critical viewing skills across the curriculum; media education and citizenship education; and the need for teacher education and community and parental involvement. (LRW)

This paper draws on four case studies of different aspects of cooperation between preschool educators, parents and the community, to assert that families, schools and the community should work together in the interests of their children's education. Ways in which discontinuities between home, school and the community can be overcome are suggested.…