Accomplishing significant improvement in teaching and learning requires strong, open, and interactive relationships between schools and the community. Chapter 1, "What's Out There," explores the vital role of teacher morale in successful reforms and argues that teachers and schools should actively connect, in more effective ways, with…

This book provides information for elementary and secondary teachers about autism and classroom techniques for teaching students with autism in inclusive classrooms. The text consists of 12 chapters, each concerned with a different school issue/structure. Chapter 1 outlines definitions of autism and attempts to illustrate how autism is experienced…

Noting that productive family-school relationships are necessary for socializing and supporting children and adolescents as learners, and that such relationships can take many forms, this book examines the goals, contributions, and accountability of families and schools for educational outcomes. Addressed to school psychologists, the book…

Based on findings of the Home-School Study of Language and Literacy Development, this book examines the relationship between early parent-child and teacher-child interactions and children's kindergarten language and literacy skills. Participating in the study were more than 70 young children from diverse backgrounds whose home and school…

This document identifies the three components that frame overall career and life role education that helps students prepare to integrate the demands of six life roles (individual, learner, producer, consumer, family member, citizen) into family, community, and work settings. The three components that help prepare students to meet the grade 12…

"Harvard Education Letter" is published bimonthly at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This issue of "Harvard Education Letter" contains the following articles: (1) Bringing Parents on Board: Strong Home-School Connections Enrich Learning Opportunities for Immigrant Kids--and Their Parents, Too (Sue Miller Wiltz); (2)…

Summarizes strategies most likely to be effective in promoting healthy eating among school-aged youths and provides nutrition education guidelines for a comprehensive school health program. The guidelines include recommendations on seven aspects of a school based program to promote healthy eating. (SM)

This article discusses "difficult discourse" or the psychological and sociological difficulties that arise in the conflict of language, ideology, and cultural identity occurring between students/families who are limited English proficient (LEP) and the American mainstream education system. A case example of a fifth-grade Asian student is provided…

This article examines the different world views and belief systems, acculturation stress, school-home discontinuity, learning styles, communication patterns, and parent participation of Native American students. The assessment and evaluation of Native American students and culturally compatible service delivery models are also discussed. (CR)

The Martin Community School Cradle School Project served children in low-income families with the goals of involving parents early in their child's education and establishing communication. Challenges included establishing trust and increasing parent and school personnel awareness of demands on university research faculty. Outcomes included…

Presents six workshop sessions on parent conferences: (1) "Parents' Perspectives on Conferencing" (R. Duffy); (2) "Three Way Conferences" (G. Zeller); (3) "Conferencing with Parents of Infants" (K. Albrecht); (4) "Conferencing with Parents of School-Agers" (L. G. Miller); (5) "Cross Cultural Conferences" (J. Gonzalez-Mena); and (6) "Working with…

An evaluation was conducted of an educational planning process for inclusive education called COACH (Choosing Options and Accommodations for Children), which was used with 30 elementary and secondary students who are deaf-blind. Interviews with 72 teachers, parents, and staff addressed effects on relationships between parents and professionals and…

Discusses a collaborative project between education and anthropology which qualitatively studies the establishment of strategic connections between households and classrooms in Arizona's Mexican communities. Teacher-researchers visit households, assume the role of learners, establish connections with parents, and develop instructional activities…

A 3-year study in 8 middle schools tested a program to improve adolescent conduct. The program attempted to improve clarity and enforcement of rules, classroom organization, school-home communication, and increase reinforcement of positive behavior. Where it was well-implemented, student conduct improved significantly. (SLD)

Considers key issues that schools, school districts, and other agencies need to address when planning a home visiting program to promote collaboration between home and school. Essential goals are defined, and the skills that home visitors need are explored. Home visiting programs are viewed as a developing process. (SLD)