In this interview, Lisa Delpit, a specialist in urban education and cross-cultural communication, discusses various aspects of teaching black children, including valuing their own cultural and language traditions rather than simply bowing to the rules of the culture of power of the dominant majority. Parent participation in urban schools is also a…

A longitudinal study investigated the effectiveness of transition best practices in the education of 30 students with emotional disturbances. Students employed while in school had higher rates of employment, and students whose parents had been involved in their education were more likely to have a successful community adjustment. (Author/CR)

Ounce of Prevention in Schools, an early intervention program in a Quebec elementary school, includes a family support component to increase parents' involvement and assistance with their children's school work. Interviews showed that, compared to control parents, parents in the program helped their children more with homework but had lower…

Employing multiple approaches and data sources, School Improvement Model (SIM) researchers have worked with selected districts nationwide to implement a new 360-degree feedback model favored by many companies. This article describes how 360-degree feedback (from students, peers, self-evaluation, supervisors, parents, and student achievement) can…

Although the new principal of an innercity California school vowed to improve student achievement, the students could not learn amidst demoralized teachers in chaotic classrooms. Community-building had to come first. The principal met with parents and asked them to write behavior rules for the school. Various discipline, partnership, and literacy…

Reports on a case study that examines the beginnings of gender differentiation during a naturally occurring academic activity designed to support and guide young children's interest in doing science. Contains 25 references. (DDR)

Notes that working parents of preschoolers find it difficult to schedule time for direct involvement in their child's education or care program without special arrangements with employers, who frequently are unwilling to make arrangements. Presents ways schools or centers can create a community climate in which employers are encouraged and…

Describes a three-way planning and conferencing method involving teacher, student, and parents that incorporates the use of student portfolios. Performance and academic achievement are assessed on the basis of portfolio materials prepared by the student, and continuing objectives and planning evolve from the portfolio process. (ET)

Describes a collaborative parent-involvement project for inner-city Hispanic primary students sponsored by the Chicago Community Trust. A university professor, two graduate assistants, the principal, and the school community representative designed a summer program featuring hospitality and support activities, free books, and hands-on science and…

Specific problems (involving power, implementation, mission, time management, expertise, cultural constraints, avoidance, and motivation) are keeping school-based decision making from improving teaching and learning. Educators must begin with a clear mission, set explicit goals for the decision-making process, alter governance structures to…

Presents an alternative to the competition fostered through traditional science fairs. The Science Expo is an all-day event meant to show students and the community that science is fascinating and fun. (PR)

This article first summarizes the American literature on applying the market force to education in the movement to give greater power to parents in determining school policy and then applies these concepts to similar trends in the United Kingdom. Issues emerging from interviews with British parents of children with learning difficulties are…

This paper seeks to dispel misconceptions about home-schooled children--that they are brainwashed, poorly socialized, or receive poor education. Public libraries can serve the needs of this user group by increasing staff awareness of both the Christian and the "unschooling" philosophical camps, keeping communication lines open about…

Examined the quantity and quality of contact in adolescents' everyday family interactions such as after school, at supper, or when family members do the weekend chores. Found that, with increasing age, there is both disengagement and transformation in these kinds of interactions. However, this decline appeared to be related more to increasing…

This study examined the extent to which selected course experiences influenced preservice teachers' perceptions of their comfort and competence in planning and implementing parent involvement programs in schools. Pretesting and posttesting indicated that the course experience made a significant difference in enhancing students' perceptions of…