This article discusses cooperation between parents, family members, and professionals in advocacy efforts on behalf of students with emotional, mental, and behavioral disorders. Tips for parent-advocates and experiences of statewide parent networks are offered, as well as lessons and potential pitfalls experienced by professionals. (PB)

Many schools are beginning to use Response to Intervention (RTI) in the classroom, and educators have found that it has made a difference for many students. The purpose of RTI is to identify those children who are struggling in school and to ensure that each of those children receive just the right instruction or intervention to be successful.…

Presents tips to help parents prepare for effective parent- teacher conferences, including: starting off on the right foot by establishing rapport with the teacher, including the student in the meeting, addressing problems, and following up. A sidebar discusses questions parents should ask in the meeting to determine how their students are doing…

Guidelines are offered to help promote partnership between professionals and parents of handicapped children. The author notes the importance of common courtesy, compromise, and communication. (CL)

In this article, the author presents the story of Tucker, a child who constantly looks for attention. The author assesses that children like Tucker frequently wrestle with feelings of jealousy and competition. However, Tucker's intense competitiveness is a bit beyond what one would expect, even for a young child who has a chronically ill older…

The paper reports on parent survey comments to raise awareness of teachers of children with disabilities and facilitate the parent-teacher collaborative experience. The Life Management Survey (LMS) was designed (Scorgie, Wilgosh, & McDonald, 1997) to corroborate nine themes (Scorgie, Wilgosh, & McDonald, 1996) identified through in-depth…

The two issues of this magazine for parents, teachers, and others involved in cooperative nursery schools are designed to provide a forum for views on dealing with young children, express a variety of ideas, promote to cooperative philosophy, and to enhance the relationships of those involved in cooperative nursery schools. The Spring 1997 issue…

This special double issue of the "Early Childhood Bulletin" explores issues for parents who are members of Interagency Coordinating Councils (ICCs) for their states' early intervention programs. The first article discusses issues parents may want to consider before they assume new roles in their ICC and in related activities. It also…

Discusses how teachers can communicate with parents and suggests aids for parent counseling. (CI)

This paper presents some suggestions parents should consider when planning their child's Individualized Education Program (IEP). Suggestions are organized according to these sections: (1) Before the IEP team meeting; (2) At the IEP team meeting; and (3) After the IEP team meeting.

Librarians and teachers can tap a powerful source for motivating children to read by involving parents and creating a partnership between home and school. This guide shows educators how to encourage literacy and reading by establishing a book club for parents, teachers, librarians, and students. Chapter 1 discusses directions for starting a book…

Parents and school staff usually agree upon issues regarding evaluation, eligibility, program, and placement of students with disabilities. However, there are times when disagreement occurs. Disagreements and conflict are often inevitable, but they need not produce negative results. Mediation in special education is a process to assist parents and…

This conference sought to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas on how parents, teachers, and other concerned individuals can contribute to strengthening the educational support system, and sought to generate practical information on strategies to improve achievement levels of youth. A conference program prospectus by Louise M. Tomlinson…

The booklet is intended to help parents understand and acquire more assertive communication styles in matters of special education. Assertive behavior is introduced, distinguished from less productive behavior styles, and considered in terms of barriers to effectiveness. The booklet proceeds with a discussion of basic legal and human rights that…

This compilation of materials and information serves as a step-by-step how-to guide to creating and building a parent cooperative preschool. After brief sections discussing where to begin and how cooperatives originated, contents explore basic considerations in planning, planning for community meetings, and the permanent organizational structure…