The report documents the achievements of the Parent Information Center, an information and referral service for parents of handicapped children. Documented are the center's relationships with community agencies, presentations, participation in parent advisory boards at the local level, interagency cooperation, consumer outreach, staff training,…

Preschool parent-teacher associations (PTAs) help parents learn more about their young children through interaction with other parents. Current programs and activities of other preschool PTAs and organizational ideas are listed. (DF)

This inservice program for principals was designed to assist the development and maintenance of effective Parent Advisory Councils (PACs), as mandated by Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The manual first introduces the concept of the principal as a facilitator, outlining the principal's role and responsibilities within a PAC.…

This article, based on the experiences of the Ainsworth (Oregon) Parent Teacher Association, offers a step-by-step guide for parents who wish to bring computers into their children's schools. Ways to build public and school support, do necessary planning and research, evaluate available equipment, and implement the program are suggested. (PP)

Reported are the proceedings from a 1974 conference on programing for gifted children which was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association for the Study and Education of the Mentally Gifted. Reviewed in a keynote address by J. Gowan are 12 outstanding research studies conducted during the past 25 years regarding identification and education of…

Although the Migrant Education Program dates from 1965, parental involvement in it is governed by very recent statutory and regulatory requirements. Current statutory requirements come from the Elementary Secondary Education Amendments (ESEA) of 1978. They concern the establishment of and consultation by State and Local Education Agencies (SEAs…

Legislation in 1977 strengthened the role of school councils, comprised of teachers, parents, and students, in South Carolina to increase community and parent participation in schools. Accomplishments achieved and obstacles encountered by school councils are discussed. Aspects of effective councils are identified. (BJV)

Interviews with 150 low-income parents in three countries reveal that their low involvement with the schools was due to the fact that teachers and administrators have a substandard view of low-socioeconomic status families, and the parents have low assessments of their own educational effectiveness. Empowerment programs in each country are…