Discusses several obstacles to staff/parent partnership and describes 13 ways of building and maintaining such a collaborative relationship. (RH)

Four models of parent-professional interaction in special education are analyzed in terms of degrees to which parents are informed by professionals and degrees to which parents participate in goal formulation: uninformed consent, uninformed participation, informed consent, and informed participation. Informed participation may lessen…

Argues for a renewed effort to counter divisiveness among persons concerned with education. Calls for increased connections in support of mutual goals among educators as well as between school and home. (Author/RH)

Presents some sources and resources that allow educators to obtain relevant data, printed materials, purposeful advice, and ideas that ensure effective home-school relationships. Lists addresses of organizations readers may wish to contact to obtain information. (MG)

Every month the journal "Exchange" highlights a challenge of the month. On their web site (www.ChildCareExchange.com) they provide solutions from "Exchange" and solutions from the field to this challenge. In January, the challenge was "Involving Parents." They received over 60 ideas submitted by "Exchange" Panel of 300 members and by visitors to…

Increasingly, there is advocacy for parents to be included in partnership roles with schools. Indeed, the term "partnership" seems to have acquired the connotation of an ideal form of parent-school relationship. This paper argues that the notion of partnership, with its accompanying suggestion of equality as a framework for the…

In this article, the author presents the story of Tucker, a child who constantly looks for attention. The author assesses that children like Tucker frequently wrestle with feelings of jealousy and competition. However, Tucker's intense competitiveness is a bit beyond what one would expect, even for a young child who has a chronically ill older…

Uses the analogy of dance to discuss development of positive relationships between teachers and parents of gifted children. Emphasis is on providing parents with necessary information, overcoming barriers to true partnerships, and rules of thumb for implementing the partnership on an ongoing basis, such as following the golden rule in…

Parent-teacher action research (PTAR) empowers both groups to define their own problems and collaborate on solutions. Schools with PTAR teams have developed mutually respectful working relationships that can positively influence children's learning. (SK)

In this article, the author offers suggestions on how to create a father-friendly environment: (1) Sign men up, too; (2) Get out your message; (3) Say it loud; (4) Say it often; and (5) Just ask. The author offers ways for staff to make dads feel welcome, such as: (1) Meet and greet dads at the door; (2) Praise children's progress; and (3)…

The terms ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are applied to several symptoms, including: difficulty in paying attention, distractibility, having a hard time following through on things, and sometimes over-activity and impulsivity. There are many different reasons why children have these symptoms.…

Suggests ways teachers can communicate the goals and purposes of multicultural education to parents and deal with parents' thoughts and feelings about race. (DMM)

Encourages parents, teachers, and other professionals to recognize and study the importance of nutrition for the development of handicapped children. (CM)

Teachers can successfully involve parents in their children's education by creating a welcoming school climate, establishing clear policies and procedures for parent involvement, ensuring administrative support, and having a plan. Effective staff development prepares teachers for parental involvement. (JOW)

Describes the tradition of honor and service provided by the Diocese of Trenton's PTA, which guarantees ongoing connections from the local school to the region to the diocesan level. Summarizes the governance of the PTA in all of the diocese's schools, its 73-year celebration of service, history, organizational structure, parent partnership…