Describes three programs provided by Family Focus, Inc., a private, nonprofit agency established in Chicago in 1976 by citizens to demonstrate the effectiveness of providing community-based support services to expectant parents and families with young children. (Author/RH)

The era of abundance for Canadian education is over. Issues concerning student rights, parent involvement, the teacher's role, and institutional leadership must be faced, if the goal of quality education is to be reached. For a French translation of this speech, see p12-19 of this issue of "Education Canada." (SJL)

Discusses the role of pupil personnel workers and educators in providing services for handicapped children of low-income families. Parents need to be aware of their children's rights and the services available in the community and the school. Parent involvement should be encouraged. (JAC)

The article describes two elementary level basic skills programs operating in Alabama, one tailored for and operating throughout the state, and the other funded for 10 Appalachian Alabama schools by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The article details the way two schools use their ARC funds. (SB)

Focuses on behaviors and activities of three high school principals as they respond to district's decision to implement a shared decision-making model designed to give teachers and parents a larger voice. Describes these administrators' varying responses, along with varied ways democratic leadership was multilaterally defined in each school by…

Interviews with Canadian day care workers and minority parents showed that the two groups disagreed about why parents are not involved enough; were unaware of their basic differences in ECE goals; and disagreed substantially over what constitutes proper child-rearing methods. Discriminatory incidents were not uncommon at centers, although teachers…

Studied relationship between student and parent perceptions of school social environment (SE) and school membership. Found that the relationship of parent satisfaction to SE was best explained by school climate, school-parent communication, and empowerment of parents. The relationship of student enjoyment to SE was best explained by staff…

This study examined whether sixth- and eighth-grade students' motivation, anxiety, and classroom learning environment in mathematics differed significantly according to the degree of implementation of technology in the mathematics classroom. Self-concept, involvement, affiliation, satisfaction, and parent participation are discussed in relation to…

Discusses the importance of team-oriented home visits by Head Start workers as a way of establishing trust; opening lines of communication; and providing support, assistance, and resources to client families. Argues that home visits provide insight into issues of parenting, physical and mental health, social service needs, and cultural awareness.…

Presents four bilingual education workshop sessions: (1) educational needs of bilingual children and the rationale for bilingual education; (2) developing teachers' role in bilingual education, including building home language skills and enhancing language development; (3) building teacher-parent relationships through positive personal contacts;…

Presents a hypothetical dilemma illustrating the need for parent empowerment in early childhood education for use in applying the National Association for the Education of Young Children's Code of Ethics. Considers including parents in important decisions, honoring responsibilities to parents, and implementing the spirit of the code. Discusses…

Tested the basic hypothesis that failure experiences at school increase the likelihood of aversive parent-child interaction after school. Subjects were 254 elementary school students. Found that children who rated more academic failure events at school described parents as more disapproving after school, but this effect was only partially mediated…

Identifies elements that have impeded parental involvement in urban school reform efforts and recognizes positive and encouraging techniques leading toward successful family-school-community partnerships. Argues that parental involvement is most important in America's inner-city urban neighborhoods and that an alliance between groups, long in…

This cross-curricular primary unit helps teachers and students get to know one another. Students collect information about their families, then create bulletin boards, class albums, graphs, and art projects. One activity is for students to invite their families into the classroom to share their projects and feast on traditional family foods. (SM)

Discusses the need for early childhood programs to develop strong partnerships with families in order to support each parent's role as his or her child's primary educator and to provide a foundation for ongoing family involvement. Outlines the steps for establishing high-quality parent involvement programs and offers examples of how parents can…