This paper provides a brief review of the issues regarding families in early intervention programs for handicapped children and proposes the assessment of family needs as a first step in designing family-focused interventions. While traditional approaches to early intervention tend to be exclusively child-focused, professionals are encouraged to…

This lecture describes the legal status of parental rights pertaining to German schools, and ideas about the practical problems of cooperation between parents and schools in Germany, especially under the auspices of a multicultural society. Four legal parental rights are listed: (1) the right to decide if their child should attend private or state…

Case studies are presented of three gifted students, indicating the social and academic problems which are standing in the way of their potential development. The students include a Vietnamese-American ninth-grade girl who has difficulty with English and does not feel accepted by other students, an underachieving seventh grade boy who speaks out…

Examines the conflict which can arise when differing cultural practices of families and child care facilities clash. Presents a case study that exemplifies the potential conflict. Provides advice for child care practitioners on how to combine two differing perspectives and how to move from arguments and misunderstandings to common concerns. (SD)

Three workshop articles concerning parental perspectives on discipline are presented. "Lessons from My Mother-In-Law: A Story about Discipline" discusses the generational diversity of discipline. "Parent/Staff Partnerships" addresses the importance of shared responsibility. "Perspectives on Discipline" consists of a…

This paper focuses on the first steps (Planning and Organization) of a three-stage model designed to help school personnel deal with problem-oriented parent-teacher conferences. Seven distinct steps of the Planning and Organization stage are described in detail: (1) specifying the problem; (2) organizing information; (3) specifying objectives; (4)…

This report traces the growth of Project Integrated Education and Community Development (now known as the Education and Community Project) in the town of Ofakim, Israel, from its conceptual beginnings in 1977 through the first three years of its development into a multifaceted community education program. The project, conducted in predominantly…

Teacher education programs must help teachers handle children from diverse family backgrounds. Knowledge of family structures, acceptance of changes, and techniques for improving communication with parents should be included in preservice and inservice teacher education. Children's literature provides one way for teacher educators to increase…

Discusses preservice and inservice beginning-teacher preparation, identifying areas of teaching that challenge the cultural deficit model by examining the role of teaching standards in addressing second-language learners' needs. Describes demographic changes within the classroom; reviews literature on effective teaching practices; and identifies a…