Teachers' educational methods to procure or enhance parent involvement in their children's learning processes in schools in German-speaking countries are examined in this comparative study. This Austrian replication of a study conducted in the United States (Epstein, 1986) administered questionnaires to 124 first-, third-, and fifth-grade teachers…

The paper first points out how important it is for professionals who work with families and infants with developmental problems to be aware of ethnic and cultural differences, and then goes on to discuss some values typically held by Hispanic Americans. Professionals should understand the family's immigration history and status in order to know…

The school improvement movement during the past decade has, among other things, provided educators with realistic data on how effective schools got that way. One of the most basic findings is that successful schools have five common characteristics: principals who provide strong administrative and instructional leadership; high expectations,…

A sketch of some of the major advances in the field of infant development precedes a discussion which points out five policy implications of the research findings and explores the paradox that public policy lags far behind the current improved state of knowledge. Reasons for societal lack of attention to the needs of infants and for the worsening…

Parents of handicapped children can provide valuable assistance to child caregivers and should be encouraged to become involved in the observation and education of their handicapped child. However, obstacles to optimal parent-caregiver cooperation may exist. Parents and caregivers may have different views of the infant and differ in knowledge of…

This paper discusses assumptions, purposes, obstacles and techniques of parent/staff interaction in a day care setting. Regular, goal-directed communication between parents and teachers can reduce the complexity of the environment children experience and facilitate their socialization. Why, then, do parents and teachers rarely communicate? Some…

Proposes guidelines for a student promotion/retention policy including clear academic goals and expectations, the use of multidisciplinary teams to make decisions about grade repetition and monitor student progress, opportunities for the students to "catch-up" with their age peers, and program alternatives to retention and social…

Focusing on early childhood issues specific to New Zealand, this document is comprised of three papers exploring provision of culturally competent care in early childhood services. The first paper, "Considering Culture" (Lisa Terreni with Judi McCallum), addresses some current theories that attempt to understand "culture" and…

Parents' roles in educating their exceptional children have changed dramatically in the last decade. If attention is paid to their rights and responsibilities, parents and school personnel can provide the best possible educational experience for all exceptional students. (CJ)

Given the centrality of parent-professional partnerships in British government educational policy and the widespread reality of parent dissatisfaction, this article identifies key challenges to partnerships. These are: (1) defining partnership and associated processes; (2) achieving consensus about the purpose of the partnership and partner roles;…

Discusses recent Australian research on parental attitudes regarding gender equity in early childhood programs. Reports that parents have extremely mixed attitudes toward these programs. Examines the behavior of three boys exhibiting either cross-gender play or extreme aggression and their parents' attitudes, and plans a teacher-parent…

Relationships between schools and families of children with learning and behavior problems are discussed in terms of the benefits of parent involvement, barriers to effective home-school partnerships, ways that schools and families can collaborate, and skills that support parent-teacher collaboration. (DB)

Suggests how school libraries can fund computer equipment; gain assistance from high-tech businesses; develop business partnerships and foundations; lease equipment; accept equipment donations; fund raise; build money into the budget; and communicate school needs with budget voters. Sidebars include leasing advice; resources for parent-teacher…

Describes early childhood teachers' responses to a hypothetical ethical dilemma that concerned a parent's possibly abusive behavior following a discussion of her child's behavior with the teacher. Discusses the use of the NAEYC code of ethics to resolve problems in everyday practice. (AA)

Discusses what parents in the 1990s need from child care and caregivers, including support, flexibility, and similarity in child-rearing attitudes. Suggests that caregivers keep these needs in mind--and strive to meet at least some of them--as a way to improve parent involvement in early childhood education. (HTH)