This book provides a comprehensive guide to recent development in the research and practice of assessing children in need. The book examines the policy framework for assessment, the process of assessment, and how to assess a child's developmental needs and the capacity of that child's parents and family to respond to those needs. Following an…

This collection of 29 articles is devoted to the question of "what works" in regard to parental involvement. The two main objectives in compiling this volume were: (1) to provide general information about successful strategies and programs to interested educators and parents; and (2) to offer context-specific, "tailored"…

Although educators and community leaders may recognize the need for more parental involvement, many do not know how to go about getting it. Strategies that administrators can use to develop parent-involvement plans for their school district; to engage more parents in their children's education; to promote partnerships that enhance the social,…

Presents ideas for teachers who want to get parents involved: start reaching out to parents before school starts; make written contact with parents and students before school begins; follow up with a phone call inviting their participation; communicate expectations; show commitment all year; and walk in a parent's shoes. (SM)

A review of the literature on parental involvement in the education of a child with a disability examines models of parental involvement, barriers to participation, and ideas for training. It concludes that parent-professional partnerships are intended to empower parents and enhance communication. Such partnerships cannot be established without…

Outlines a research-based model for greater family involvement among Latino families in the area of mathematics. Reports that parents remarked that they had never been given a choice of times for school-related activities; they now felt like real partners in the learning and teaching of their children. (ASK)

This paper presents guidelines for creating a collaborative approach for communication among teachers, parents, and students to plan for their transition toward further education or work in adult life and to become informed self-advocates. Guidelines for teachers are presented and include: (1) establishing a system that places the student at the…

In order to assist professionals and policymakers more consistently engage parents in their work, this document uses the personal stories of several parents to illustrate how parents get involved in family programs and how some parents built on their natural leadership abilities to move from personal involvement to take on broader leadership…

This short book discusses ways parents and teachers can cooperate to prevent some of the behavioral problems common to middle school and high school students. To help parents and teachers, it offers a progressive discipline code, called the "Parental Intervention Plan," or PIP, in which both parents and teachers jointly assume responsibility for…

This book discusses parent-school cooperation, suggesting that parent stories are an effective tool for accessing knowledge to benefit parent-teacher relationships. The book defines stories as narratives gained from open-ended conversations and/or interviews, where parents answer questions that illuminate traditional and nontraditional early…

This book provides practitioners working with young adults with disabilities practical strategies for building expanded partnerships with parents during the transition years. It relies on three beliefs: parents need to be fully informed partners; practitioners need to empower parents to become partners; and parents can become accountable for…

Since 1972, Head Start Policy Councils, Policy Committees, and Parent Committees have provided leadership supporting the involvement of parents in local Head Start programs. This video-based training package is designed to increase the knowledge and skills of Policy Council members and to positively influence participants' attitudes toward being a…

This guide is intended for school leaders acting to involve families in the education of their children. A common concern is the amount and kinds of family involvement that lead to a positive school climate and higher student achievement. To address this concern, strategies are outlined to help school leaders in deciding upon the kinds of family…

Intended to enable parents to support and advocate for their children during transitions, this guide contains training activities and hands-on action tools to help parents and staff work in partnership as children transition into and out of Early Head Start, Head Start, child care settings, and elementary schools. The guide is divided into three…

This book provides specific guidelines that for developing comprehensive home-school partnerships. It is designed for use by school counselors. Practical guidance is offered on how to persuade colleagues that parent outreach is vital to student success; initiate positive contacts and smooth interactions with parents; understand different types of…