A Wisconsin study of single-parent children in the seventh and eighth grades revealed four general areas of need: stability and structure, acceptance, adult attention, and parental involvement. Parents felt that the parenting role should be left to them and that schools should limit out-of-school projects and educate their children by providing…

This paper discusses how educators can advance integration of students with disabilities by involving parents in the educational process. The paper suggests courses of action that can be taken to promote home-school collaboration, describing the importance of continuity of values between home and school, models of parent involvement, the…

This article reviews issues relating to using homework with students having learning disabilities and then identifies empirically validated and recommended practices, grouped into four categories: (1) management considerations; (2) assignment considerations; (3) student competencies; and (4) parent involvement. (DB)

At the 1990 NASSP Convention, the Smaller Secondary School Committee sponsored a session to encourage administrators of small and rural schools to share their successful activities for improving community relations. Schools can schedule conferences for times convenient to working parents, sponsor community dances, mail school newspapers to the…

Discussed is the idea that kids are highly politically correct environmentalists on the surface, but underneath they seem to be missing the connection with nature. The author attributes this ignorance of all things natural to things such as kid's preference for video games, television, and lack of access and time. The importance of parental…

Interviewed 23 African-American parents of elementary school children to examine their perceptions regarding interactions with school personnel. Recurrent themes concerned parental ambiguity in their own childhood school orientation, parental management of interactions with school personnel, helping children cope with readily accessible…

Describes the positive effect a teacher had on his son's writing by offering encouragement and interest rather than assignments and criticisms. (PRA)

This biography of Hazel Flannery Gabbard discusses her organization of nursery school centers in Rochester, New York; her work as an education specialist in the U.S. Office of Education; her cooperation with national organizations; and her international education activities. (SM)

Examines evidence relating to factors that affect the quality and maturity of children's play and discusses three resources parents can readily use to enrich play: adult involvement, materials, and time. Explains parent roles of play initiator, coplayer, and play facilitator. Offers guidelines for the selection of toys and playthings and for…

Parents' efforts to help their children learn are more important to academic success than the family's economic well-being. This article describes recent research affirming the importance of parent-school involvement and outlines strategies for removing barriers, weighing model programs, and constructing a program that stresses open communications…

In divorced families, the noncustodial parent is usually as important to the child as the residential parent. Schools should avoid actions that cause parental conflict, place one parent in a sole decision-making role, or deny a parent's access to information or involvement. School responsibilities governing routine correspondence, cyclical and…

Outlines the goals of the new editor of this monthly newsletter for parents. Suggests practices that teachers can use to enlist the cooperation of parents, including corresponding and meeting with parents before the school year, and communicating with parents several times during the school year to learn about their child and to open a dialog…

Describes how to plan enjoyable family times for parents and children. Activities can be based on the child's special interests, the parent's work or hobby, or a sense of adventure. The article suggests places to visit such as national wildlife preserves, aquariums, farms, newspapers, factories, candy stores, and greenhouses. (SM)

Chapter 1 legislation provides additional resources to schools with a certain percentage of low-income students to help ensure that all children learn. Calls on parents and legal service advocates to take an active role in ensuring accountability for Chapter 1's application in schools, and provides questions to help parents better understand and…

Addresses the role of parents as contributing members of their children's educational team. Investigates effect of parental involvement on academic success from primary through secondary school levels. Notes that research has repeatedly demonstrated connection between family and achievement. Supports premise that parental involvement plays…