Explores problems occurring in the communication between child care providers and parents, through the eyes of a child care educator who is also a parent. Describes how her opinion changed as a result of experiencing the frustration of working parents, and provides ideas on how to achieve a better communication and understanding among parents and…

Explores the advantages of beginning or continuing a home visitation program as a method for developing positive school-home relationships. Reveals that home visitation is not widely practiced due to unavailable or uncooperative parents, lack of time, and safety concerns. Addresses strategies to overcome obstacles and program management concerns.…

The Eugene (Oregon) Cadre develops school teams that can work together toward common goals. This volunteer group of teachers, administrators, staff, and parents is trained in organizational development. The paper describes the cadre and summarizes practices it has found useful in working with groups to promote teaming and collegiality. (SM)

This article discusses ways a school in Saint Louis (Missouri) applies the theory of multiple intelligences in the curriculum. The article identifies seven potential pitfalls and describes how this school works around them. A brief summary of the seven intelligences is included. (SM)

Presents excerpts from two interviews, conducted in 1979 and 1995, with John Coe, a British primary education specialist and advocate for child-centered education. As primary education has veered toward a national curriculum and assessments, school choice, locally managed schools, and a strong, politically charged accountability element, teachers…

Men in early childhood settings can be role models to children and others in society. Fully valuing males in early childhood education would require restructuring gender role stereotypes. The contributions of male staff and parents in rural early childhood settings are examined, positive and negative aspects of male inclusion are discussed, the…

Presents the ideas and educational activities of the TRIANGLE intervention program for both hearing-impaired or deaf infants and their mothers. The program encourages children's integration into the community and into school, offers classes on everyday learning activities at home, provides counseling and audiological assessment for parents and…

First, explores the Dutch government's child care policy in relation to the views held by Dutch education professionals. Second, contrasts policy experts' views on child care with parents' existing needs. Suggests that government and professionals should start taking the realities of parents' and children's lives as a starting point while putting…

Describes the adoption of advisory time at the middle level as an opportunity to implement effective communication activities in place of cognitive activities and the structured curriculum. Argues that students learn important listening, communication, and respecting skills when proper tools are introduced and utilized, and when the program has…

Describes On Board Early, a Baltimore program designed to increase family-school experiences that support children's success. Discusses such program features as specialized family involvement staff, a parents-as-teachers program, a family-centered approach to supporting the transition to school, and planning for long-term family involvement.…

Discusses the International Survey on Reading Abilities in Primary School (IGLU) and its data on achievement in reading, mathematics, and natural science. Compares this data to that collected by the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). Identifies achievement relevant correlations such as gender, migration background, socioeconomic…

Describes a public school model that gives historically underserved urban and rural middle schoolers an improved chance at college and life. KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) uses a five-pillar plan that focuses on: more time in school; choice and commitment by teachers, parents, and students; power to lead for the school leader; high expectations…

This discussion of funding for assistive technology devices for children with disabilities addresses how to locate community funding sources, set priorities, increase peoples' awareness of technological applications, and encourage parental involvement. An annotated bibliography lists seven items on funding, and a chart shows an example of an…

This speech calls for an end to prolonged debate about integration of preschool children in early intervention programs, discusses what is known from research on integration, describes quality indicators of early intervention programs, and makes suggestions for institutionalizing quality early intervention services. (JDD)

Reviews the concerns and expectations of parents and state legislators, two groups who are likely to have the greatest impact on shaping the structure and operation of public preschools in the years ahead. (BB)