Today's young children need people committed to making the world a more caring place that offers every child and family the opportunity to thrive. This article presents five steps that any individual can take to become an active advocate for children, letting others know that the learning and experiences of early childhood shape a child's entire…

Becoming familiar with the school district will help parents become active and involved partners in their child's education. Research has demonstrated that family involvement in children's education can boost their academic success. Knowing about the following areas, which are discussed in this information sheet, can help parental involvement at…

This handbook is intended to help local programs build a broad base of support for young children and their families. The strategies described are designed to help early childhood practitioners develop relationships with the community that will establish long-term commitments to early childhood programs and build a foundation for additional…

The practicum addressed the problem of lack of parent involvement in the development of IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) for their handicapped children, through development of a slide program and associated materials. The program attempted to educate parents regarding the IEP process, their role in it according to Public Law 94-142 (The…

This handbook, funded by the Veatch Foundation of Plandome, New York, is a resource guide for parents who want to become involved in and advocate for their children's education. The first section gives background on Title I/Chapter I and the opportunity this program gave parents to get involved in education. The importance of parental involvement…

The Children's Center, a combined public and private day care center in Connecticut, was the site of a practicum intervention which was rooted in the belief that day care centers have the responsibility to defend childhood, link preschools and public schools, and engage in political advocacy for children. Major goals of the intervention were to:…

Highlights a national town meeting, sponsored by The Johns Hopkins University, on early language learning. Discussion focused on parental support, the need for funding, the need for qualified teachers, the benefits of early language learning, and the need for advocacy. (VWL)

Focus group findings from 34 African American parents in an urban southern school district unmask subtle and concealed aspects of involvement. In contrast to formalized school-sponsored parent activities, involvement is described by participants as their encompassing a physical presence at the school to monitor their children's behavior, receiving…

Parent participation is considered to be a vital component in the education of students with disabilities. Parents' roles in pivotal changes in special education--specifically, inclusion--are acknowledged, and their rights are protected in special education law. However, their perspectives are not always understood or considered in the…

The guide, intended to complement developed curricula for parents, professionals, and consumers concerning access and use of assistive technology, focuses on appropriate technology for young children with disabilities. A question and answer format is used to address: terms used in the guide, service considerations (e.g., the role of evaluation in…

This report presents the results of an evaluation of the 2-year operation of Michigan's Parents Training Parents Program, which provides parents of handicapped children with knowledge, skills, information, and support to obtain increased and improved services for their children. Staff and volunteers (all parents of handicapped children) provide…

While parent education has become popular among educators and reformers, the long-term implications of the emphasis on parent education deserve careful and dispassionate examination. Are exclusively center-based developmental programs for preschool children to be discredited? Should federally-sponsored intervention programs insist on parent…

The author describes the Parent Advisory Council for Exceptional Children of Baltimore City, an urban center program designed to increase active parental participation through formal and informal training which emphasizes Black student/parent rights and due process. Parents participate in a 6 week intensive training program with activities…

Intended for parents of handicapped children in California, the book contains information on individualized education programing (IEP), parents' rights and responsibilities, and being an advocate. The introduction contains a brief history of special education, a description of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and the California State…

Intended for parents, the manual presents information on existing legislation pertaining to handicapped children in California, and guidelines for effective child advocacy in order to identify and obtain adequate services. Chapters cover the following topics (sample subtopics in parentheses): diagnostic and evaluative procedures (including a…