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…

In classrooms across America, academic standards are being raised. This brochure is intended to help parents understand the importance of higher academic standards and to provide questions that parents can ask teachers and administrators to learn what they need to know about the expectations at their children's school. The brochure first defines…

This issue of "Interchange" reports the findings of a survey of parents of children ages 14 and under in Scotland regarding child care demand. The purposes of the survey were to: (1) establish the types and quantities of child care used; (2) identify the financial costs of child care; (3) identify reasons why parents select different…

In classrooms across America, academic standards are being raised. This brochure is intended to help parents understand the importance of higher academic standards and to provide questions that parents can ask teachers and administrators to learn what they need to know about the expectations at their children's school. The brochure first defines…

As more families move from welfare to work, little is known about the implications of employment for family well-being. This survey and case study examined the effects of employment on the economic, social, and emotional well-being of parents, children, and families. Survey respondents received assistance through Iowa's Family Investment Program…

This booklet contains profiles of 26 community-school models. Although communities and states approach the development of community schools in various ways, all the models presented here reflect the shared vision of the Coalition for Community Schools, that is, a set of partnerships to establish a place where services, support, and opportunity…

This report describes the degree and nature of hardship among low-income and poor working and nonworking families in a nationally representative sample of kindergartners--the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (Kindergarten Cohort). Five hardship indicators were examined: (1) lack of child health insurance; (2) child has not seen doctor at least…

Teachers often spend much time attending to the needs of children who are unable to focus attention, get along with other children, control their emotions and behavior, and lack persistence and motivation. During the last few years, many schools and families have begun to move beyond the finger-pointing stage and are developing partnerships to…

This report argues that a English national strategy for creative and cultural education is essential. Three principle objectives are laid out to address this strategy. First, there are important relationships between creative and cultural education for the whole curriculum. Second, teachers must be trained in the most current methods to stimulate…

This guide describes what states can do to support and encourage the fundamental restructuring of the education of young adolescents in the middle grades. Its framework is based on the eight principles for restructuring middle grade education developed in "Turning Points: Preparing American Youth for the 21st Century," prepared by the…

To stimulate two-generational self-sufficiency for low-income families and follow through on welfare reform guidelines on term limits and work requirements, it is necessary to acquire data on the low-income labor market and the low-income child care market, as well as on the interactions of these markets. This study investigated the type of…

Based on information from the School Transition Study, sponsored by the MacArthur Network on Successful Pathways through Middle Childhood, this Early Childhood Digest focuses on enhancing communication between parents and the school. The digest discusses the importance of parents' level of comfort at school and in talking to teachers, and provides…

This document presents the proceedings from the Lightspan Achieve Now Education Summit, a gathering of educators held to discuss effective education programs for children in Title I schools. Presentations were given by educators who have implemented educational models featuring a strong set of varied instructional strategies and support systems…

Evaluates formal authority, one of the major means of influence at the disposal of school-community agents, and its effect upon human behavior. (Author/RK)

It is suggested that researchers take into account the various problems as seen by Mexican American families when making decisions rather than assuming what the variables leading to those decisions might be. (JB)