Explores the idea of "wonderful children" as a socially defined concept pervading parents' perceptions of their children. Examines professionals' views of young children and possible contradictions which arise within the specific context of child abuse. The analysis is based on interviews with mothers and observations of interactions at…

To have a successful teaching experience in a rural environment, a teacher must develop positive relationships with students (both in and outside of school), with parents, with the community, with teacher centers, and with professional associations. (CM)

This article presents four principles as a basic framework for developing effective, cooperative relationships between professional teachers and parents, the primary educators of children. (Author/SJL)

Cited are incidents of violence in public schools. The author suggests a "get tough" policy and that involving parents and community agencies in schools can be an effective solution to violence in the schools. (KC)

The president of the Australian Association for the Teaching of English and the editor of "English Quarterly" discuss "officialese" in public documents, teacher/parent relations, and the training of teachers. (RL)

Contains four presentations on teacher professional and personal growth: "The Elephant's Child as Caregiver," (Elizabeth Jones) on the importance of curiosity; and interviews with several teachers--(1) "Teachers and Then Some: Profiles of Three Teachers"; (2) "Becoming Planners: Finding Time and Insight"; and (4) "Backing Away Helpfully: Some…

This paper profiles Anna Steffin, principal of a Canadian elementary school, who has built a community of learners among her teachers and encourages quality staff development, collegiality, parent participation, and parent teacher cooperation. She promotes her beliefs by being an active participant in all activities. (SM)

Describes the use of interactive homework, which requires parent and student participation, to strengthen the connection between parents and their children's school. Discusses the use of interactive homework in a kindergarten through fifth-grade program for Japanese as a foreign language at the Falk Laboratory School at the University of…

Discusses how working with parents in cooperative nursery schools can be challenging as teacher and parents work out their roles in implementing an appropriate curriculum. Suggests that by mutually sharing educational theories and how they promote young children's learning, disagreements between teachers and parents about appropriate curriculum…

Argues that the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is no longer useful to parents who want to play a meaningful role in educational reform. It discusses six areas of PTA ineffectiveness in supporting parental participation and the parental backlash from those who feel the need to challenge the status quo, including the PTA's deference to the…

Presents a teacher's reflections on the need to know about, and talk with parents and other teachers about, the benefits of using a child development-based, whole language, thematic approach to teaching in the primary grades. (BB)

Urges early childhood professionals to build partnerships with parents and with other teachers. Points out that agencies and individuals, like children, can demonstrate different cooperative styles. Barriers to collaboration and benefits of cooperative partnerships are discussed. (GH)

Describes how the moving of one chronically disruptive special education student to a more restrictive environment took almost nine months, hundreds of hours of work, and thousands of dollars to achieve all due to the current inefficiencies of the system. The article includes a brief discussion of the reauthorization of the Individuals with…

Describes how reading specialists could function as collaborative consultants, spending the preponderance of their time working with other adults to meet the needs of students. Discusses curriculum development, instructional problem solving, assessment, and parent liaison. (SR)

Offers suggestions for enhancing partnership between schools and parents to support learning at home, focusing on positive, two-way communication. Suggestions include sharing information with parents regularly, using recordkeeping processes to assure reaching all families, coordinating home involvement strategies with instructional units, reaching…