Describes Finland's 15-minute method for improving reading skills. Parents are asked to read aloud to their kindergarteners 15 minutes daily, and children are also encouraged to read. Notes are sent between teachers and parents so teachers can provide support. Older students are encouraged to read and listen to younger ones. (SM)

Of 4,100 adolescents, those who characterized their parents as authoritative scored highest on psychosocial competence and lowest on behavioral dysfunction. The reverse was true for neglected adolescents. Adolescents from authoritarian homes scored high on obedience but low on self-perception. Adolescents from indulgent homes evidenced…

Court and legislative challenges and financial crisis have hampered the first years of implementation of the Chicago (Illinois) School Reform Act of 1988. At the local level, school councils performed variously. Overall, evaluation of the act's success or failure will be conducted at the local level in individual schools. (JB)

Reports on a survey which sought to determine junior and senior education majors' perspectives regarding parent involvement. Results indicated students believed in the efficacy of parent involvement to benefit children and teachers. They expected to expend time and energy to include parents. They expressed a need for more training on parent…

The involvement of parents in the community school board elections in New York City in May 1989 was to be closely watched. Puerto Rican and other minority parents must seize the opportunity provided by the elections as a first step toward determining the educational agenda for their children. (SLD)

Provides information on alcoholism and codependency to help teachers identify and respond to children of alcoholics (COAs). Discusses characteristics of alcoholic homes and problems encountered by children and adult COAs. Examines survival "masks" of COAs, including hero, rebel, adjustor, clown, and caretaker. Lists organizational,…

Sixty-eight gifted disadvantaged youngsters (ages 4-8) participated in a summer institute. A common and differentiated curriculum was developed for Anglo and Hispanic parents based on their expressed expectations regarding child development. Home and school were successfully enjoined in a collaborative educational effort by providing a…

Reviews research and appraises the state of career development counseling for African-American college students, evaluating progress in approaches aimed at enhancing the employment success of African Americans. Inadequacies of current career development theories are recognized, and suggestions are made for black role models, parent involvement,…

Offers a friendly critique of the efforts of the Parent-Teacher Action Research Project conducted by eight member schools of the League of Parents Reaching Out. Concludes that parent-teacher action research can empower parents, and suggests ways to improve the action research parent involvement process. (SLD)

Describes the experiences of an elementary school resource room teacher in Staten Island (New York) in using community service learning (CSL) with special education and reading resource students. Students planned and carried out a cupcake sale to benefit UNICEF. Parent participation was an important part of the process. (SLD)

The views of Indiana State University faculty and public school principals and teachers collected during the early stages of development of several professional development schools (PDSs) are presented in this article. Topics include collaboration, school restructuring and change, faculty wariness, and parent involvement. (IAH)

Discusses guidelines to provide developmentally appropriate environmental education experiences for young children. Guidelines include (1) keeping children actively involved; (2) beginning with simple experiences; (3) encouraging use of the senses; (4) focusing on developing relationships; (5) demonstrating enjoyment of nature; (6) involving…

Surveyed students and parents from 122 public elementary schools to examine relations among school characteristics, parent involvement, and parent perceptions. Found that specific characteristics were associated with higher and lower parent participation at the individual level and at the school level. (LPP)

Investigated the impact of parental involvement on elementary students' educational outcomes. Data from a study of 193 Los Angeles area second and fifth graders and their mothers indicated that parent school involvement contributes to positive child outcomes. The involvement appears to be a manifestation of parental enthusiasm and positive…

A Cambridge, Massachusetts, alternative public school's basic reading program is a rich combination of whole language and individualized phonics. Other strategies to hook kids on reading include 20-minute recreational reading periods with parent volunteers, a weekly book-bag program, reading buddies, special projects, and community helpers from…