Discusses educational reform, and argues that little had been accomplished in the past decade because of general complacency. Discusses lack of incentive to change. Proposes 10 essential elements of a reformed education system that parallel the "American 2000" strategy. Argues that the current political climate is ready for change. (JB)

Discusses school choice policy itself, the debate between proponents and opponents, and the range of possible school choice programs. Addresses the roles of federal and state governments, the courts, and school administrators in school choice plans. Presents recommendations for achieving an educational environment that engages the minds of all…

Describes the Follow Through educational model as one type of program with a strong commitment to parent involvement. Findings provide evidence of positive outcomes in three areas of parent involvement: advocacy, decision making, and instruction. Suggestions for the implementation of new parent involvement programs in elementary schools are…

Parents can minimize the dangers their children face in the world. As individuals, they can arm themselves with safety information and have conversations about safety subjects. Parents working together in PTA groups can accomplish the most to keep their children safe in school and the community. (SM)

Analysis of Canadian provincial educational legislation and case law relevant to the rights of students with disabilities yielded 15 key rights encompassing such areas as free nondiscriminatory public education, barrier-free access, identification and placement, appeal, appropriate education and special education services, and parent…

Describes the after-school program Urban Pioneers, developed by an inner-city pastor, Jerry McNeely, to teach science and mathematics to urban elementary school students. Increased achievement, better student attitudes, and increased parent participation have been identified as benefits of the program. (SLD)

Explores the role that schools can play in providing direction, guidance, and support to children and adolescents in the face of growing violence in society and in schools. Discusses the development and implementation of preventive measures such as additions to the curriculum, mentoring programs, child abuse and neglect programs, parent education,…

Discussed is the success of a small university in placing African Americans into medical school and pharmacy school. Described are precollege enrichment programs for mathematics and science that emphasize problem solving, homework, daily quizzes, development of vocabulary and reading skills, peer support groups, role models, and parental…

After previous reform attempts failed, the radical restructuring of the Chicago (Illinois) Public Schools in 1988 has brought empowered principals, councils for shared power, and increased minority involvement in school governance. However, many participants cite various problems. Never the less, the reform effort has brought the Chicago community…

This 4-year study in a southern California school district examines parent involvement activities affecting about 100 families to encourage Spanish-speaking parents to participate more fully in their children's schooling. Unconventional activities validating families' social and cultural experience are more successful than conventional means of…

Discusses three models of parent involvement (family impact, school impact, and cooperative systems) and analyzes the parental mentorship process surrounding 18 Mexican American children in a third grade classroom. (SM)

Advocates the implementation of the same developmentally appropriate principles and practices that govern good preschool programs in elementary school programs as well. These practices involve understanding children and their levels of development, working with the whole child, fostering integrated learning, and encouraging parent participation.…

Parents are being invited to step in to help improve public education, but they enter with neither resources nor power. Real parental involvement requires commitment to organizing parents and restructuring schools, as well as inventing rich versions of diverse educational democracies of difference. Schools must function like meaningful…

Presents reflections of a former headmaster on the role of private schools and the importance of the choices they can provide. Proprietary schools that work say something visionary and hopeful even to public schools by illustrating the survival of multiple voices in a community. (SLD)

To build a multicultural society, the most important steps are made in the classroom. School expands the child's world, but schools cannot educate or prepare children for the multicultural twenty-first century without involving parents and communities. Teachers, parents, and citizens must engage in learning together. (SLD)