Explores the opportunities and problems inherent in the working relationship between sociologists and educators. Examines the ways that educational sociologists can participate in linking research, policy, and practice. Posits three requirements for productive collaboration between educators and sociologists: multilingualism, mutual programs, and…

Discusses research that found that the more teachers involve parents in their teaching practice, the more parents will be involved in their children's education and will recognize the efforts and merits of teachers. (JOW)

Research regarding parent involvement in their child's education is summarized. Parent involvement practices that may be developed when home and school computers are added as resources are discussed. (MT)

Presents the findings of a survey of parents' experiences with different kinds of parent involvement. Views school and family relations from the parents' perspective and suggests that parents favor programs that stress cooperation between school and home. (DR)

Several major issues related to parent participation are described in the comments of over 1,000 teachers who responded to a survey regarding their practices in the area of parent involvement. Eight issues that may prompt new research in this area are identified. (MP)

Highlights the importance of designing integrated, coordinated social contexts to foster children's development. Summarizes effective program characteristics and guidelines for building lasting partnerships. Six types of involvement (parenting, communicating, volunteering, learning at home, decision making, and collaborating with the community)…

To study the effects over time of teacher practices concerning parent involvement on student achievement test scores, longitudinal data from 293 students (in Baltimore, Maryland, Grades 3 and 5) who took the California Achievement Test in the fall and spring of the 1980-81 school year, were analyzed. The students were in the classrooms of 14…

Concerns about and characteristics of family/school partnerships are the theme of this issue of a "newsletter for the on-line administrator." Because of the changing natures of students, families, and schools, school administrators must take a leadership role in facilitating parent involvement in education. The six major types of involvement for…

In order to measure elementary school teachers' feelings about parent involvement in home learning as a teaching strategy and to see how widespread this strategy is, a survey was conducted with 3,700 first-, third-, and fifth-grade school teachers in most Maryland public schools. (MP)

A survey of parents of 1269 students in 82 first, third, and fifth grade classrooms in Maryland was conducted to investigate the effects (on parents) of parent involvement techniques (used by teachers) for learning activities at home. Some of the teachers were recognized by their principal for their leadership in the use of parent involvement,…

A survey was taken to measure how 3700 elementary school teachers and 600 principals in Maryland school districts feel about parent involvement in home learning as a teaching strategy and to see how widespread this teaching strategy is. This summary of survey results provides information on the extent and use of varied techniques to involve…

Data from a survey of 1269 parents (of whom 24 percent were single parents) were used to study whether single and married parents differ in their interactions with elementary schools and teachers. Results indicate that initial differences between single and married parents' perceptions of teachers and teachers' evaluations of single and married…

The Baltimore School and Family Connections Project is a collaborative effort to design comprehensive partnership programs and evaluate their results. This case study explores one school's efforts to involve middle-grades students and their families in learning activities at home during the summer break. Marginal students who worked on the home…

Summarizes the "overlapping spheres of influence" theory of educational partnerships and presents a framework of six major types of involvement in schools to provide a context for other articles in this issue. Also summarizes results of some studies by the Center on Families, Communities, Schools, and Children's Learning. (SLD)

Designed to help teachers promote a teacher-parent partnership process, this manual describes the Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork (TIPS) program in language arts, science, and health. The manual covers the TIPS Interactive Homework Process, focusing on overcoming obstacles, TIPS activities, the process of informing parents, and students'…