This article discusses the importance of including mothers' knowledge of their children's learning in school discourses, theories, and practices. It draws on the story of one mother who participated in the author's research. The experiences explicated in this story elucidate exclusionary practices that silence and marginalize mothers in our school…

This paper describes a research project that uses Pierre Bourdieu's concepts of habitus and cultural and social capital to penetrate how middle-class parents exercise influence and form positive relationships at the neighbourhood public school that serves various ethno-cultural groups of students. One group of white, economically privileged…

As Canada comes to depend more and more on immigrants for economic growth, the quick integration of newcomers becomes an economic, as well as a social, necessity. Almost all urban schools have some newcomers, and even rural schools are receiving a growing number. They come from many countries and experiences, which makes generalizations tricky. A…

The concept of developing teacher collaboration teams continues to be a prevalent problem for teachers and schools. The results of a Saskatchewan study of beginning teachers (Hellsten et al., 2007) was the finding that first and second year teachers perceived "planning and collaboration with other teachers", as well as "professional…

The current study aimed at exploring the perceived significance of promotional events in secondary schools among Canadian parents, their children, and teachers and at determining the influence of these events on the school-choice process and school life. The findings suggest that both teachers and families displayed apparently contradictory…

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…

Drawing on current research and best practices, this third part of the three-part resource, "Supporting Positive Behaviour in Alberta Schools," provides information and strategies for providing intensive, individualized support and instruction for the small percentage of students requiring a high degree of intervention. This system of…

Interviewed elementary and secondary teachers regarding the emotions of teaching and educational change, examining how the culture and organization of teaching influenced experiences and emotions teachers reported in interacting with parents. Results suggest that the culture and organization of teaching influence teachers' values, discourses, and…

Surveyed 588 regular classroom teachers and 21 specialist teachers from Newfoundland and Labrador. Respondents reported moderate levels of stress. Nine categories of stressors were ranked almost exactly the same by teachers of different grade levels, with Time Management and Parent/Teacher Relations highest. (Author/MCF)

This paper explores the ways in which the culture and organization of teaching influences the experiences and emotions secondary teachers report in their interactions with parents. Hargreaves' (1998) framework, based on the emotional politics of teaching, is modified and applied to the analysis of 68 secondary teacher interview responses from 2…

The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify a range of conflicts that had occurred between several parents and the schools their children attended. The parents of 12 families were interviewed in depth about unresolved conflict situations that involved their children. In 10 cases the child had been moved to another school as a consequence…

Reports the findings of a study which investigated the effect of parental involvement in the school on student achievement in inner city elementary school classrooms. (SF)

Analyzes quantitative and qualitative data on participant perception of the coproduction of learning. Refines a working model of the triadic relationship among parents, students, and teachers. Finds sharp differences in perceptions of collaboration between different triad members. Teacher attitudes and practices clearly determine the extent of…

In-depth interviews with three educators and two parents at an Alberta elementary school revealed nine themes related to parent-school collaboration: the two worlds of the child, the changing parent-school relationship, and characteristics of collaboration (communication, trust and honesty, positive supportive attitudes, personal connections,…

Discusses student-led parent-teacher conference model and demonstrates how this model can successfully meet the needs of teachers, students and parents. Discusses model's phases of preparation, implementation and evaluation. Provides a step-by-step guideline, along with a case study. (BH)