Informed by research studies that demonstrate a positive relationship between parent engagement and student academic attainment, state and national parent outreach initiatives have aimed to bridge the gap between Latina/o parents and schools. Such was the case with the Latina/o Family, School and Community "Avanzando" Project, which…

The low academic achievement among Latino students in many inner city high schools leads to higher failure, dropout, and absenteeism rates, as well as lower standardized test scores and graduation rates. The purpose of this study was to explore whether Latino parental attitudes toward and perceptions, level of, and form of involvement may be…

During 2 decades of debate about teacher preparation education practitioners and policymakers have called for a more skilled professional teaching force (Darling-Hammond, 2010). Of particular concern has been poverty's impact on education--specifically in struggling urban schools--prompting legislation such as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB),…

In the last three decades, several strands of research have produced compelling evidence justifying a focus on the family with a particular emphasis on early years in order to raise literacy standards. Partners in Literacy is an evidence-based model which is built on these key research findings, these are: (1) Families and parents are critical to…

On Saturday, March 13, the Obama administration released its blueprint for revising the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which would ask states to adopt college- and career-ready standards and reward schools for producing dramatic gains in student achievement. The proposal challenges the nation to embrace educational standards that…

The purpose of this study was to determine the implementation status of Response to Intervention (RtI) in the elementary schools (N = 35) in one urban school district in Virginia. The relationship between the implementation of the academic components of RtI, collective efficacy, parents' trust in schools, the number of referrals for special…

Democratic political systems and the democratic way of life is aspired by most people around the world. Democracy is considered to be morally superior to other forms of political systems as it aspires to secure civil liberties, human rights, social justice and equality before the law for everyone regardless of their gender, culture, religion and…

In this report the authors analyze the movement of students to and from the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) and Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). They also analyze student mobility between schools within each sector. The analysis rests on two separate sets of data: the administrative records the authors have collected as part of their…

This report summarizes 2008-2009 data from several Austin Independent School District efforts to promote parent and community involvement.

There has been a great deal of focus in recent years on high school reform as a way to ensure all students graduate ready for a skilled job or additional postsecondary education. As expectations for a more highly educated American citizenry rise, what happens in the middle grades--the beginning of the secondary-to-postsecondary education…

This paper provides a historical and philosophical basis for parent involvement in the education of their children. It also furnishes a rationale for programs in Oregon which combine aspects of the classroom-oriented Standard Center-Based Model and the Home-Based Head Start Mode. Section One places Head Start development in Oregon in the…

The New York State experimental prekindergarten programs are interdisciplinary endeavors whose purpose is to improve the educational opportunities of disadvantaged 3- and 4-year-olds. Because the pupil services they offer are of central importance to these programs, the social worker is an integral member of the prekindergarten staff and has many…

New design concepts for creative play structures provide challenging experiences for children, yet are still safe enough to be acceptable. Many of these creative playgrounds are made possible by parent and community volunteers. (Author/MLF)

A special program at Seton Hall University includes parents of Upward Bound students in university classes. (IRT)

Parental involvement requirements for Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, are reviewed. (CL)