Addresses the need of involving the family and aspects of child development into helping children achieve academic success. Several collaborative efforts are highlighted, and the key features of strategies for collaboration are discussed. The article concludes with analysis of these collaborative efforts to determine the lessons to be learned. (GR)

Survey of 217 Maine principals revealed that respondents perceived their staff as moderately to highly involved in decision making, viewed the community as informed but not actively involved in decision making, and desired greater involvement from staff and parents. Principal gender and school level did not affect desired levels of involvement.…

This interview with a school principal, Efrain Vila, argues that staff development is crucial in school reform. Teachers cannot be asked to use new processes if they do not have opportunities to learn how to use them. His school's faculty meetings always include staff development components. Parent involvement is also essential. (SM)

Five years of research on collaborative practices have led the Center on Families, Communities, Schools, and Children's Learning to formulate 10 policy recommendations for a comprehensive program of school, family, and community partnerships to improve the academic achievement and social success of all students. (SLD)

The School Based Youth Services program of New Jersey has received national acclaim as an effort to place social and health services within the public schools to reduce fragmentation of services. Case studies describe the program in operation in three high schools, and program successes are detailed. (SLD)

Interviewed parents and teachers to determine their communication preferences. Determined that teachers and parents prefer face-to-face communication, find it difficult to schedule meetings, and rarely discuss personal or emotional issues. Proposed strategies to improve communication patterns between teachers and parents, especially those working…

Studied what types of parental involvement are effective as students make the transition to high school; also sought to elaborate on the role parents play in connecting their children to desirable peer networks during this transition. Identified five forms of parental involvement that helped students succeed. (Author)

This article describes two studies that evaluated training intended to improve the family friendliness of five components of the admission treatment team process at an inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric hospital. While role-play training did not improve family friendliness, mindfulness training enhanced the family friendliness of all five…

This article describes a successful school-based program for students with emotional disturbances served in a special education setting. Program features include a professional training program, development and implementation of a strengths-based plan in which students and families are included as partners, and a method for evaluating the…

First-year outcomes are reported for 18 pairs of first graders at risk for serious emotional disturbance (SED) assigned to Parent-Teacher Action Research (PTAR) teams and a matched control group in the same classrooms. Children who had PTAR teams showed greater reductions in teacher-rated externalizing aggressive and delinquent behavior.…

A recent study indicated students in the United States do not understand basic math and science as well as students in other countries, and will not be prepared for decision making in a largely scientific and technological world. Suggests ways for parents to emphasize science at school, at home, on school field trips, with science fairs, and with…

Besides challenges in health and physical well-being, today's children face challenges based in behavior and lifestyle choices, which do not offer well-defined solutions. The paper describes coordinated school health programs; explains the importance of school, community, and family involvement in health; presents the U.S. Department of…

A study explored how six childcare providers who have included children with special needs are able to provide care on a daily basis. Factors included the providers' commitment, finding the balance between resources and needs, problem-solving with parents, access to emotional support and technical assistance, and access to other supports.…

A true leader is not grounded in control, but believes in shared decision making and power. Today's principals should develop leadership skills in others and let them help lead school reform. A Carrollton, Texas high school formed a leadership team comprising staff, students, parents, and the community. (MLH)

Surveys of small, mostly rural, schools in Ontario (Canada) and New South Wales (Australia) found remarkably similar responses from the two locations with regard to the creation of school councils; membership; council's role in policy making, policy advice, budget functions, and accountability; how councils benefit their schools; and council…