Explains and analyzes open-enrollment plans, current open-enrollment legislation, and the Omaha (Nebraska) School District's attempt to balance goals of integration and open enrollment. Provides recommendations for educational and legislative reform in the area of public school choice. (198 references) (MLF)

Ethnographic data were used to address the challenge of parent-professional interaction in the cross-cultural context of 12 Spanish-speaking Puerto Rican American families from low income backgrounds with learning-disabled or mildly mentally retarded children in special education. Illustrations from parent conferences show how parent participation…

Argues that school choice plans should be limited to public schools. A system of controlled choice overcomes many problems associated with school choice. District 4 of the New York City public schools offers an example of how greater choice for parents has reinvigorated innercity schools. (SLD)

Examines focus group methodology as a fundamental first step in planning a school and as a data gathering strategy for design of a community survey. The case study of the collaborative effort between two districts and the University of Hartford illustrates the value of focus groups. (SLD)

A graduate course at the University of New Hampshire is intended to help special educators of young children to develop communication and collaboration skills. Program evaluation has indicated that attitudes of professionals and their interactions with parents were changed in the direction of greater empathy, increased respect, and more…

Describes a study of how Chinese-American family and community behaviors, routines, values, and expectations affect the educational achievement of Chinese-American children. Finds that some traits, valuing effort over innate ability and parental involvement, do support academic achievement in association with certain social and economic…

The Hawaii State Department of Education offers a growing number of Hawaiian language immersion schools for its students. The article presents the history of immersion schools in Hawaii, examining criticisms of immersion schools, discussing their benefits, and explaining necessary components for success. (SM)

Investigated how family processes influence high school student dropout behavior. Used a sample of 114 dropouts from 1 California high school, 48 of whom were matched to similarly profiled continuing students. Identified factors that explain students' dropout decisions: permissive parenting, negative parental reactions to grades, excessive…

Teacher education programs must help teachers handle children from diverse family backgrounds. Knowledge of family structures, acceptance of changes, and techniques for improving communication with parents should be included in preservice and inservice teacher education. Children's literature provides one way for teacher educators to increase…

Discusses implications for teacher education of Cummins' theoretical framework for analyzing minority students' school failure. Researchers adapted a multicultural education course, then surveyed student attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors toward minority children before and after taking the course. The course produced increased cultural sensitivity…

Presents six myths about early childhood education and care. Myths concern day care quality, the impact of day care on families and communities, academically oriented curricula, the importance of caregiver training, and parent involvement. Emphasizes that professionals need to dispel these myths, recognize the complexity of good child care, and be…

Describes a strategy to raise standards in a British inner-city school through parent involvement in learning and decision making and the recognition of religious and cultural diversity. Communication, particularly with language minority parents, is vital to the program's success. (SLD)

A new approach in alternative assessment focuses on student-led conferences. This paper explains how one Iowa middle school implements student-led conferences. The approach combines authentic assessment via portfolios with greater student involvement. Additional components include self-assessment, effective communication, parental involvement, and…

The 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) give parents an opportunity to participate in meetings with respect to the identification, evaluation, and educational placement of their children. This article discusses parental involvement under the IDEA, specifically as it relates to methodological issues. (123…

Most effective schools share a number of key characteristics, including clear-cut goals and objectives, adequate funding and financial management, quality academic programs, valid assessment programs, parent and family involvement, teacher and staff development, high expectations for students, community involvement, comprehensive support services,…