Parents who have not had opportunities to attend college themselves have neither experience with the process of college preparation and college going nor sufficient access to needed information. This article describes a collaborative venture between a university department of education and a cluster of local schools designed to help parents of…

Offers a comprehensive program for improving the working relationship between home and school for foreign language programs and their students. The course outline, homework policy, parental assistance, monitoring and support, parent/teacher conferences, and the use of other special conference sessions are discussed. (seven references) (GLR)

As schools across the nation strive to eliminate student achievement gaps, it has become more crucial than ever for parents to be involved, especially parents of children achieving below grade level. In Maryland's Howard County Public Schools, a parent-teacher conferencing program called SMART, focused on Specific, Measurable, Achievable,…

Describes a 10-point parent teacher conference checklist to help create a positive environment and enhance communications. Includes discussion of following topics: invitation techniques, pleasant encounters, pertinent information, positive interaction, preparation activities, good communication, participation and involvement, planning for the…

This paper describes the positive effects of the Parent Program of the University of Oregon Follow Through Program. Section I illustrates the positive effects of parent involvement in two case histories of parents' political activism directed at securing and maintaining quality education for their children. Section II focuses on parents'…

Much discussion in educational circles centers on such issues as assessment, student performance, parent conferences, and related topics. The 1996 Yearbook provides information about and examples of outstanding assessment reporting systems in use in the United States and Canada. The following contributions are included: (1) "Introduction" (Thomas…

This paper describes a practicum designed to increase parent and business involvement in the educational experiences of students in grades 4-7 at a rural school in the southeastern United States. Teacher surveys and other data indicated that the students had very little experience or understanding of the business world in which they eventually…

A teacher describes her method for ensuring effective, productive parent-teacher conferences. Suggestions include: scheduling conferences during the first two weeks of school; keeping a flexible schedule; preparing a simple parent questionnaire; explaining expectations and obtaining parents' expectations; making a problem solving agreement; and…

Decries the promotion of euphemism in teachers' communications with parents. States that true professionalism requires teachers to present problems with students in straightforward language. (MM)

Describes the Sharing Center component of the Macomb, Illinois, 0-3 Rural Project enabling parents in rural communities and small towns to join their disabled children in activities and to share experiences with other parents of disabled young children. Discusses Center establishment, participant characteristics, staff preparation, activities,…

Effective communication is a two-way process. Educators must be willing to listen to parents and create convenient, comfortable avenues and forums. A Missouri school reversed the usual parent-teacher conference format, allowing parents to lead discussions about their children's strengths and weaknesses. Parents enjoyed this format, and teachers…

Describes how parent teacher conferences in elementary schools in Tacoma, Washington, differ from traditional conferences by starting early in the schools year, being held at least twice a year, lasting about 40 minutes, including students, developing goals using conference information, and involving parents and students in developing goals to…

This working paper explores reasons to encourage parents of English language learners (ELLs) to be involved in the learning process at the middle school level. Barriers to parental involvement of language minority students will be identified and successful, research-based strategies to increase parental involvement will be introduced. Five…

The sixth of eight related documents, this monograph describes the parent study group aspect of the Reading Instruction and Pupil Personnel Services (RIPPS) program. The document describes the background and rationale for this parenting program, designed to help parents understand their child and the role parents play in a child's development, and…

Transactional analysis can help teachers build effective partnerships with parents of gifted and talented students by increasing awareness and skills when dealing with parents' concerns. Definitions and techniques for analyzing ego states are provided; ego state transactions (i.e., communications) are reviewed; and methods for identifying and…