Studies the educational position and language proficiency level of various ethnic groups in the Netherlands. The differences in these is explained by means of several background characteristics, including parents' level of education and social status. (27 references) (Author/CK)

Examines parent-teacher relationships in early childhood programs, including those for children with disabilities, across five eras of the 20th century. The general approaches have been the earlier tendency to view parents as learners in need of information and the recent trend to involve them in program decision making. (SLD)

These two commentaries on the article "Head Start: Challenges and Training Needs" (Leah Buscemi and others) discuss the role of technical assistance providers in helping grantees work with community institutions, especially local education agencies; the need for formal written interagency agreements; the necessity for creating parent…

Used a variety of measures to assess the effectiveness of the PALS program (Parents Altogether Lending Support) in England. Found that participants enjoyed the course and found it beneficial, particularly for altering their behavior to promote positive behavior among their children. The key lesson identified in regard to developing parenting…

Offers suggestions for facilitating collaboration between families and schools, based on experience in Montessori education. Advocates gaining trust through regular informal social gatherings of parents and principal, pointing out that trust can help parents deal with anxiety over future academic success. Notes the efficacy of a parent education…

This article makes the case for early intervention with young children with both developmental and behavioral problems. It cites intervention research that supports the effectiveness of parent management training and the use of applied behavior analysis, but recognizes the need for randomized controlled trials with adequate follow-up and…

Offering Internet training sessions can encourage parents to attend parent-teacher conferences and become more involved in their children's schooling. Topics can include filtering software and integrating the Internet into the curriculum; brief lab sessions can acquaint parents with e-mail and World Wide Web "bookmarks." Tips for…

Describes the outdoor adult education classes conducted by a community college in California designed for parents and their children ages 5 through 8 years. Classes include parenting topics, music, movement, crafts, stories, hiking, and nature awareness, focusing on sensual outdoor experiences for children. Describes what children gain from…

Eleven native-Korean-speaking, Korean-American mothers of children aged 2-4 received 1 hour of training in specific language facilitation techniques around picture-book interactions. A control group received instruction in general emergent literacy development and first language acquisition. Four weeks later, treatment-group children showed…

This study surveyed 35 mothers of cochlear implant (CI) candidates or current users on the relative importance of various topics in a parent-targeted intervention program preceding and/or following cochlear implantation. Suggestions for an optimal intervention include use of a multidisciplinary team, information on many topics and services, and…

This paper describes a British local education authority project to provide support for the families of children with autistic spectrum disorders. Parents particularly valued the following: input of the support worker; support to "make sense" of their child's development; practical strategies for facilitating language and interactive…

Shares how one kindergarten teacher communicates with parents about children's early learning of reading and writing. Includes excerpts from the flyers and newsletters sent to parents and discusses other ways in which the teacher builds a strong working relationship with parents. (MG)

Discusses the importance of cultural sensitivity in work with parents who may be dysfunctional or inappropriate in their child rearing practices. (PCB)

The Chronically Ill Infant Intervention Project at Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.) initiates treatment in the special care nursery for chronically ill infants and infants with multiple health problems. The project's interdisciplinary team provides developmental evaluations, direct intervention in the hospital and in the home, and parent…

To share information with parents of resource room students, special education teachers developed programs involving panel discussions, guest speakers, films, etc. Subsequently, a program for secondary-level resource room students was also developed, with panel presentations and group discussions. Lists of discussion topics and guidelines for…