Provides suggestions for transitioning to family-centered services. Discusses how to establish commitments from schools and agencies, how to bring staff into the process of change, how to develop family-centered initiatives, how to provide appropriate training for staff, ways to overcome resistance, and strategies for matching services to need.…

Describes how the linguistic and cultural connections in a family storytelling event link literacy practices in Mexican American homes with those found in school. Presents six recommendations when working with culturally and linguistically diverse parents. (SG)

Describes three reasons why primary-grade educators must be knowledgeable about the current state of adult literacy. Argues that schools need to provide resources and services to low-literate parents and to develop stronger partnerships with community social services to assist these parents. Suggests specific strategies for schools and strategies…

A survey of Swiss university graduates (n=7,791) found that starting a family and involvement in childcare generally do not represent obstacles to suitable employment, except for natural science and engineering graduates. However, it is relatively rare for recent graduates with children to accept trainee positions, which could have a negative…

Families headed by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender parents are often invisible in or underserved by the school systems. To create important school-home partnerships, schools need to become better informed about these families. The use of anti-bias and informational training, new curricula, liaisons to outside organizations, and official…

Suggests that the following three basic assumptions can eradicate negativity about parent teacher conferences: assume good will; assume competence; and assume a shared responsibility. Contends teachers should: assure parents of support; value parents' ideas and opinions; make parents comfortable; keep parents informed; and offer helpful…

Reviews the Schools Reaching Out programs in New York City and Roxbury (MA). Describes and recommends three successful aspects of these programs: the parent center within the schools, home visits by teachers, and teacher action research teams. (DM)

Urges Catholic educators to view students within the context of their family and other social relationships and to use family relationships as a criterion to assess the impact of policies, programs, and services. Considers ways educators can gather more complete information about parish families. (DMM)

Analysis of a sample from the 1991 Survey of Federal Employees (n=28,329, 37% parents) found that satisfaction with the work-family balance is a vital component of job satisfaction. Such policies as onsite child care and flextime help employees face the demands of work and family. (SK)

Data from employers of 324 pregnant women show that firm size and unionization are powerful determinants of formal benefits. However, informal family concessions, dependent on supervisor cooperation, are less likely to occur. Self-employment was not especially conducive to schedule flexibility, leave, or child care access. (SK)

Single-parent children need stability and structure, adult attention, belonging, and parental involvement. Schools can help by educating single parents, providing a stable environment, creating opportunities to help children feel accepted, addressing social and equity issues, and improving home-school communication. (SK)

Discusses the need for a coordinated national policy on family support in the home. Reviews the history of home visiting and gives recommendations for practice, training, and research. Describes the impact of new federal initiatives on family support programs and research demonstration efforts. (DM)

With Lowell Public Schools'"controlled choice" plan, attendance is based on parent choices, as long as they do not adversely affect desegregation. This interview with the Student Assignment Officer addresses such issues as informing limited English speaking or illiterate parents about school options and creating a community network…

Initially designed in response to substance abuse, employee assistance programs are now recognizing needs of family caregivers of the elderly by providing such services as referral, education, information, flexible schedules/leaves, counseling, health promotion, financial assistance, and direct services--respite care and onsite adult day care. (SK)

Multiple-regression analysis of data from Canada's General Social Survey indicated that home-based women spent significantly more time in household work than did their employed nonhome-based counterparts. Home-based men spent less than their counterparts. Results provide some support for the view that home-based work may provide a means for women…