Interviewed university faculty and teachers working with three early-childhood teacher-preparation programs about their experiences regarding roles in teacher preparation. Found that (1) roles in teacher preparation are changing, and changes are difficult but positive; (2) organizational and cultural factors limit meaningful collaboration in…

Argues that partnerships between early childhood teacher preparation programs and public school teachers will strengthen the discourse on multicultural education and its institutionalization. Presents strategies for gaining a personal connection to multicultural education ideals, including developing cultural biographies, examining stereotypes and…

Suggests that parents who are aware of the differences between home play and school play more fully understand and value the role of play in the early childhood curriculum. Discusses benefits of school play along several dimensions, including interaction with peers and adults, group size, materials, planning, and guidance. Suggests ways for…

Describes the Kids Organized on Learning in School (KOOL-IS) initiative of the B.F. Day Elementary School in Seattle, Washington, which coordinates health, social, and educational services for homeless children. Organizational components, a case study, and program evaluation are considered. (BB)

Partnerships between teachers and parents provide benefits for children's education. Suggested methods by which teachers can establish communications with parents include telephone conferences, printed communications, encouragement of parental visits, developmental checklists sent home, parent-teacher conferences, home visits, and workshops for…

Examines teacher collaboration, collaborative arrangements, and the tools necessary for successful collaboration, as they relate to school reform. Suggests that teachers in all grade levels and disciplines need to work cooperatively with colleagues and representatives from other professional disciplines to address the public's demands for…

Describes the illness and death of a young boy enrolled in an early childhood program. Discusses how maintaining open communication, sharing genuine reactions, talking with parents and a clinical psychologist, sharing carefully chosen books, and supporting the child and his family throughout the experience were helpful in coping with this event.…

Discusses the effects of divorce on children and suggests ways in which elementary school teachers can help ease the pain of children of divorce in their classroom. (BB)

Identifies positive outcomes of parental involvement in their children's education. Suggests that, to become involved, parents should: communicate with school professionals; volunteer at school; visit the school; discuss the importance of school with their children; help children develop priorities; provide after-school supervision; establish…

Describes the Professional Development Schools (PDS) initiative to simultaneously restructure schools and teacher education programs. Outlines program components. Presents steps to develop an inclusive PDS through the University of Central Florida-Daytona Beach, Volusia County School District, and the Florida Inclusion Network, including public…

Describes Project GLEAN (Gain Leverage and Empowerment through Adequate Nutrition), a partnership between a university, a food bank, and a K-8 elementary school to distribute food to the school's children, all of whom were eligible for free school meals. Reports that nearly 55 tons of food were distributed in 2001-2002 and that low-income children…

Defines inclusion and the importance of inclusive education. Suggests that reciprocity built on self-empowerment, mutual need, ethics, and rationality builds partnerships for inclusion. Illustrates creating reciprocal partnerships by describing one effort to build a developmentally appropriate classroom. Describes a seven-step exchange model for…

Examined an e-mail pen pal project between a second-grade classroom in the United States and one in China. Found that the project engaged students in learning through social interaction that enabled them to learn about a culture other than their own. Also found that the project enhanced students' social, cognitive, and linguistic skills, and…

Preschool teachers, child care workers, and parents need to work together to identify preschool children with mild handicaps through evaluation processes that include screening, planning of evaluation, and interpretation and communication of evaluation results. Proposes a best practice evaluation model developed by Broward County School District,…

Describes 12 ways in which early childhood educators can actively display their respect to children. (BB)