A study of 310 ninth grade students and their parents in five communities was conducted to look at the relationships between parent-school bonding, student-school bonding, academic achievement, and other variables. Questionnaires were developed for both parents and students asking questions about attachment, commitment, beliefs about school,…

This practicum was designed to improve communication between the mostly low-income, Hispanic parents and the non-Hispanic staff of a school-based preschool program. Parents of the program's 20 children were surveyed to determine what factors might encourage their participation in school functions. Parents were also interviewed by telephone and in…

This practicum was designed to improve parent participation in the educational process of 17 mildly disabled students in a rural secondary school by actively encouraging the parents to participate in academic conferences, special education reviews, and special education staffings. The major goal was to positively involve parents in the educational…

The District of Columbia public schools sought to obtain an index of "customer satisfaction" from its parents through a study designed to examine their perceptions of their children's schools and school experiences. A survey was developed and pilot tested to ensure content validity and reliability. The survey focused on five areas: (1)…

This guide describes a program that turns ordinary show-and-tell time into a theme-related sharing time, or "sharing circle." In this program, each child is assigned a special sharing day once a month, with the sharing days evenly distributed throughout the month and with no more than three children sharing on a particular day. Monthly…

Intended to foster communication among parents, teachers and school administrators, this brochure presents lists of questions parents may ask concerning school programs and policies, particularly at the beginning of the school year. Questions are organized by different levels of schooling from pre-kindergarten to high school. Pre-kindergarten…

This book of games for children from kindergarten to third grade offers parents ways to help their children become skilled and enthusiastic writers. The book provides instructions for parents to direct their children in easy-to-play educationally useful games, most requiring few or no materials. The book includes such activities as having children…

Title I of the Elementary Secondary Education Act authorizes a federally funded compensatory program for several groups of educationally disadvantaged children. The legislation directs that priority educational needs of these children be identified and programs be designed to provide appropriate supplemental instruction. This report summarizes…

"Success for All" and "Roots and Wings" are comprehensive restructuring programs for elementary schools designed to make the idea that "all children can learn" into a practical, daily organizing principle for schools, especially those serving many children placed at risk. This book describes the programs in detail,…

Family service providers cannot afford not to get involved in advocating for family-friendly public policy, in the face of legislation that jeopardizes family programs. Designed for community-based program providers, this guide asserts the importance of advocacy for families at the state and federal legislature level. Sections of the guide are:…

This paper describes how an elementary school included parents in participative decision making to develop successful student-affairs programming. Including parents in the development of school activities mollifies complainers, creates opportunities for parent input, and facilitates innovation. Student-affairs programming offers an excellent…

This study examined issues regarding children who receive special education services outside of their home school district--specifically, reasons for these out-of-district placements in Ohio. The study reviewed relevant documents concerning federal and state requirements and funding, and consulted with Ohio Department of Education (ODE) personnel,…

Traditionally, school personnel have expressed concern about the relatively poor record of involving Hispanic parents in schools. The root of the problem is that many immigrant and migrant Hispanic parents cherish beliefs and expectations different from those held by schools and by the parents whom schools most frequently engage. This chapter…

In 1994-95, Chapter 1, a federally funded compensatory education program, provided funding to 33 elementary schools in the Austin Independent School District (AISD) (Texas) where there were high concentrations of low-income students. Service was provided through the following components: (1) Schoolwide Projects using resources for all students;…

The primary cause of anxiety for many parents today is protecting their children from acts of violence at school. This brochure discusses what steps parents and school administrators can take to make schools safer. First, the brochure discusses what is being done to ensure children's safety in school, such as teaching prevention skills, providing…