Video based instructional approaches have become very popular in teacher education. In this context, fictional video cases (FVCs) are a promising format because they can make discrete situations (e.g., parent-teacher conversations) accessible for learners. We critically discuss the concept of authenticity of FVCs with respect to their use for…

Parent-teacher conferences are an important component of ongoing home-school communication and family involvement in your classroom. Did you also know that home-school communication predicts positive outcomes for students and for schools? Although you may already be working hard to engage parents in their children's education, this tip sheet is…

Summer activities have grown old. Going swimming has lost its allure, and boredom has set in. No matter how well parents have planned interesting and educational activities for the summer months or how much they have enjoyed the freedom from stricter schedules and more rigid bedtimes, it is time to transition back to the routines of the school…

This article describes how the new generation of multifunction printers (MFP) couple diverse software with powerful hardware, bringing a multitude of options to educators. All of the major printer-scanner-copier makers have the education market in their crosshairs, but Lexmark's new Education Station targets K-12 with a unique combination of…

Suggestions are offered to teachers for strengthening the value of parent conferences. (MM)

The author's advice on planning parent-teacher conferences to improve parent-school relations includes helping teachers develop better interpersonal skills, making sure parents know about the event in advance, scheduling with parents in mind, and taking extra care to make the school clean and attractive. (JBM)

Describes the fears, frustrations, and problems of parent-teacher conferences. Suggests that parents not wait for the first conference to start communication, that they get involved in the school, and that parents go to conferences prepared with written questions and concerns. (MS)

Presents a two-session in-service program for teachers and suggests how counselors can emphasize human relations training and test interpretation skills for teachers. First, teachers review human relation skills as they apply to interpreting tests to parents. The other session is an elaboration of procedure for interpreting test profiles.…

Provides guidelines for educators to prepare for potentially difficult parent conferences and to conduct them to a successful conclusion. Suggestions include anticipating concerns, accentuating the positive, listening to parents, being truthful, being firm, being polite, offering solutions and assistance, asking for suggestions, admitting…