This paper reviews the work of Ira Gordon in parent education from 1966 to 1978, presenting societal trends and the ways in which these trends were reflected in both his research and in his parent education programs. Gordon's work in the area of child and family services is traced through six programs in terms of societal perceptions of families through the years, curriculum changes in activities brought into homes, and the changing roles of parents in the education of their children. For each trend, the original project formulation is provided, followed by a discussion of the changes which were made with each new program or research project and subsequent results. The programs focus on the: (1) Parent Education Project; (2) Early Child Stimulation Through Parent Education Project; (3) Home Learning Center Project; (4) Instructional Strategies Infant Stimulation Project; (5) Parent Education Head Start Planned Variation Program; and (6) Parent Education Follow Through Program. (NRB)