The Valley School, Flint (Michigan), an ethnically and economically diverse private school, involves parents and the community to a remarkable degree, in establishing policies and in hands-on practice in the classroom. The principal's leadership is a major factor in sustaining the involvement planned for since the school's founding. (SLD)

A decade after the initiation of the current major education reform movement, evidence from the education community suggests that, although progress is being made, it is slow. Successful reform will require that K-12 teaching and teacher education programs be more integrally linked and that efforts be comprehensive and sustainable. (MSE)

Experience with student outcomes assessment in the Florida state university system suggests that precollegiate interventions, including raising admission and retention standards, can improve minority success in college. The more demanding policies have focused on the skill levels needed for academic success and on the need for college-preparatory…

The B. F. Day Elementary School in Seattle (Washington) exemplifies positive changes that can be made with principal leadership and teacher involvement. The school is one of six Seattle urban schools receiving federal and state support for educating homeless children under the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. (SLD)

Describes two initiatives of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) to help children become life-long readers. The AFT/Chrysler Learning Connection Reading Grants program awards grants to schools for family involvement reading programs. The booklet "Helping Your Child Learn to Read" contains activities parents can use. Some booklet…

Two vignettes illustrate the new roles and responsibilities of primary grade and high school teachers under the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA). Effects of the KERA on the changing needs and roles of teachers engaged in systemic reform are discussed. Classroom practice is becoming more activity centered. (SLD)

Discusses questions of school climate and parental involvement that must be considered if general education is to assume the responsibility of educating African-American students with special needs. Practical suggestions are given for professionals deciding the proper place to educate African Americans with special needs. (SLD)

The National Action Plan for Comprehensive School Health Education (CSHE) was created by a committee of health and education experts who identified six issues integral to successful institutionalization of CSHE: policy; awareness; professional preparation and practice; parent, family, and community involvement; educational outcomes and standards;…

Because efforts to curb campus alcohol abuse have largely failed, some colleges are contacting parents when students violate campus alcohol rules. Some institutions fear that sharing disciplinary records with parents violates the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which protects student privacy, but a recent amendment to the Higher…

School administrators must provide leadership in implementing inclusive education by taking ownership of inclusive programs; becoming informed; and promoting open communication between parents, teachers, and board members. Strategies for implementing inclusive programs must consider roles of general- and special-education teachers, administrators,…

Lists 20 basic instructional principles for increasing academic success of at-risk learners, including maintaining high expectations, administering praise, using learning technologies, teaching learning strategies, accommodating learning styles, teaching vocabulary directly, establishing an experiential base for learning, encouraging cooperative…

This study evaluated an in-class service model for third graders at risk of school failure in 13 schools. The model included collaborative consultation, cooperative teaching, parent involvement, and strategic and adapted instruction. Significant effects were found on writing scores for students at risk (but not students with learning disabilities)…

Chronicles development of the Baylor College of Dentistry (Texas) competency-based curriculum and outlines 11 lessons learned concerning strategic planning, external accountability, value of significant and continuing faculty participation, administrative support structures, linking planning and assessment, using multiple assessment methods,…

Reviews research and current trends and issues related to family involvement in children's education. Discusses the need for diverse approaches to involving culturally diverse parents; growing awareness of the importance of fathers' involvement; factors that promote or impede parent participation; achievement-related factors that parents can…

Presents vignettes from grade five, seven, and eight bilingual classrooms with a linguistically and culturally diverse student population, focusing on specific ways that teachers can aid students in constructing meaning in English, promote two-way communication between teacher and student and among students, foster social integration and…