Youth apprenticeship is the ultimate school-business partnership. The article explains youth apprenticeship, then describes the Youth Apprenticeship Demonstration Project, which created a school-to-work transition system. The program combines two years of high school and two years of postsecondary technical education to students who probably would…

This paper describes in practical detail how a kindergarten teacher applied total quality management ideas, adapted for education, to her classroom. She helped children take responsibility for their own actions, got them involved in their learning, taught them to be proud of their work, established a fear-free environment, and actively involved…

Primary students at one Hawaiian elementary school learn science through direct experience, gaining firsthand knowledge from their gardens and fieldwork. The article describes a garden project involving students and parents. The project, which was originally intended to teach students about plants, actually expanded their knowledge in a variety of…

Describes the Star Project in which each student was allowed to select a topic in any area of interest and then to create a project around that topic. Students selected mentors (often parents) to monitor and encourage their progress. The article describes the project's successes and failures. (SM)

Seventeen national organizations have sponsored this statement of principles that reaffirm a shared commitment to the religious liberty clause of the First Amendment. The importance of religious liberty is asserted, as is recognition of the primary responsibility of parents in child rearing. (SLD)

Details two of the many staff-community collaborations that supported the reading and writing growth of children in a small K-8 school district transforming its literacy practices. Describes the publishing center at Bee Meadow Elementary School, and a district-wide, week-long celebration of writing. (SR)

Examined effective relationships of parents, educators, and children by identifying quality care and education for children under 5 in a range of educational, social services, voluntary, and private establishments. Found four categories of practice that contributed to effective relationships, including educator-parent and educator-child…

This study used the Health Belief Model to examine parents' involvement in at-home sexuality education activities for ninth graders. Parents completed surveys after teaching the program. Results indicated the model was limited in helping understand parent-adolescent communication about sexuality, though it provided a conceptual framework for…

A community-wide and preschool bicycle helmet program was developed to educate the public about the importance of helmets for children and to offer helmets at reduced prices. Results of the project showed that education efforts in conjunction with an incentive component led to increases in the purchasing of helmets. (SM)

Schools participating in the League of Schools Reaching Out, a national reform project, offer multiple examples of practices to increase family and community involvement. These numerous efforts exist without benefit of a clear, comprehensive, and supportive policy. Developing such a system must be a national priority. (SLD)

This article reviews the initial purposes of the Individualized Education Program in its historical context as legislated by Public Law 94-142; traces its unintended molding influence on instruction and individualization; and considers how provisions for individualization, accountability, and parent participation can be achieved while preserving…

Presents a new image of education, called Learning Sphere 2000, which is emerging from the educational needs of an information society. Features of this paradigm are explained, including learning experiences, teacher roles, clusters of students and teachers as schools, learning centers, learning contracts, developmental levels, children with…

Studied the extent to which teenagers' expectations about gender role in career and family contexts are altered when traditional parental sex roles were partially reversed. Used follow-up data on the consequences of fathers of intact, white, middle-class families taking responsibility for their preschoolers' care. (BB)

The effect of parental involvement in school-based exercise and nutrition education was investigated. Elementary students participated in school-home, school-only, or control groups. Pre- and posttesting on physical and knowledge measures indicated family involvement mainly helped improve flexibility and nutrition knowledge. School-based students…

Presents an excerpt from the journal of a second grade teacher who reflected on the daily challenges and possibilities of learning in a child-centered, meaning-based classroom free of workbooks and standardized testing; an interview with author Nancie Atwell, a language specialist and veteran teacher; and suggestions for books and journals. (SM)