This study examined whether maternal resources of involvement and autonomy support might buffer children against the negative effects of the transition to junior high. School, cognitive, and personal involvement were examined. Findings highlight the importance of the home environment in children's coping with the transition to junior high.…

Notes that one of the best investments society can make is in its children's education. Describes how employers across the country are supporting better education through family-friendly policies for learning, particularly through the "Employer's Promise for Learning," an initiative of the "Family Involvement Partnership for…

To maintain quality education and high morale, educational decision making must become decentralized, particularly during financially difficult times. Teachers and other educational stakeholders, rather than government or educational bureaucrats, should be asked about where and when to cut expenditures. Centralized decision making, where the few…

Examined play interactions of 33 low-income African American fathers with their preschool-age children in relation to the fathers' psychological characteristics, love for the child's mother, employment status, education, and coresidence with the child. The fathers' self-esteem was the best predictor of play interactions. Coresidence with the child…

Examines children's school needs, the school's response to those needs, and parental involvement for traditional, dual-income, and single-parent families, interviewing 12 principals and 36 parents. Respondents disagreed on specific forms parental involvement should take, but agreed that providing a climate to encourage parental involvement is the…

A school district in Spring Valley, New York, has made its move to site-based decision making. The district sent 175 administrators, teachers, parents, and community members to a two-day training session to learn how to effectively work at building consensus as team members. (MLF)

Presents a three-year case study of a Chapter 1 Schoolwide Project's (SWP) implementation and effects. The school environment prior to SWP, the program's development, and results are discussed. During the years of SWP status, teacher development, parental involvement, student attendance, and academic achievement all reveal dramatic improvements.…

An outreach strategy being used to promote parent involvement is the development of parent or family centers to provide services for parents as well as to encourage their participation. Family centers engage in a wide range of productive activities that strengthen school-family-community partnerships. (SLD)

Notes that magnet schools are part of reform desegregation efforts in many school districts. Describes a study that explored perceptions of isolation among parents of students from different races in upper elementary and middle school magnet programs. Characterized the sensitivity of teachers to isolation in their schools. (Author/LPP)

This article discusses how parents can use the Language Experience Approach and Scaffolded Writing in the home environment to teach their children literacy skills and to prevent school failure. The benefits of parent involvement in influencing the quality and quantity of a child's literacy experiences is stressed. (Contains references.) (CR)

Five parents and four teachers of gifted students were interviewed to investigate their perspectives on the relationship between parents and teachers. Combined parent-teacher themes emphasized the inadequacy of funding and gifted programming, the importance of effective parent-teacher communication and collaboration, and the effect on the child of…

Study with first grade teachers and students explored the impact of book-rich classroom environments and home rereading on reading motivation, comprehension, and fluency. Results showed enhanced comprehension for book-rich classrooms, both with and without a home component; home rereading increased reading motivation and promoted parental…

Discusses the importance of nurturing creativity in early childhood education, focusing on family influences on creativity. Summarizes research on familial impact on creativity, including the role of the family's adaptability, parental discipline style, parental rejection, and family pressure toward creativity. Suggests ways early childhood…

Used a postmodern research paradigm to examine views of immigrant and refugee parents and children from the former Yugoslavia. Explored five themes: family well-being in school involvement, children's social/emotional adjustment, second- language learning, community support, and conflict management. Noted educational implications at the classroom,…

Describes the planning and implementation of a science week intended to raise the awareness of science in an elementary school. Educational requirements included exciting science happenings and concentrated science teaching of a high standard. The week included demonstrations, guest speakers, and schoolwide assemblies. Demonstrations included the…