Parents in Anchorage, Alaska, and Rochester, New York, have been rating their children's teachers. From these report cards arise three major concerns: how well teachers know and care about teaching, about their children, and about communicating with parents. Educators can capitalize on parent reports, on getting credit for what they do well, and…

Authors of "The Roller Coaster Years" (1997) advise how middle-level educators can turn wary, disinterested parents into allies. Teachers should welcome parents, advertise their own expertise, implement an early-warning system, portray children positively, convey shared values, reassure parents about children's safety, demonstrate insider…

Asserts that principals can increase student learning if they work intentionally and with heart with their faculties. Describes experiences of two Washington State elementary principals. (PKP)

The students from first, second and third grade in a high-poverty school system learn from one another and flourish in a caring classroom. Multi-age grouping builds strong relationships among teachers, students, and families.

Based on extensive policy and procedure reviews and on interviews with district administrators and staff development personnel in four school districts, this article identifies some promising procedures for managing school-based improvements within a district. This process, with specific administrative assignments, is discussed in detail. Includes…

The graded self-contained classrooom can be a negative influence on student and teacher development. Teachers and students should work together in collaborative relationships and in environments featuring nongradedness, multiaged pupil groups, and flexible shared space. (MD)

Approach suggested by this article calls for the creation of two new roles--those of training specialist and extension educational specialist--who, from their school district and university bases, respectively, would act as educational change agents. (Author/CB)

Reports on a five-year experimental program at the University of Chicago to train teachers for urban schools. Program was financed by the Ford Foundation. (DS)

Reports on results of an undergraduate elementary education program at Hunter College, New York, taught on premises of city elementary schools. (DS)

Performance contracting is sometimes expensive and not necessarily successful. Opportune school university programs as evidenced by the Atlanta public Schools project mean utilizing the combined resources to provide optimum in educational opportunities. (DS)

Summarizes recent studies of programs and practices that involve parents in their children's schooling. Concludes that interest in parent participation is strong even beyond the early grades. (MLF)

Children react to divorce and custody battles with powerful emotions. Schools can mitigate classroom effects of family breakups by recognizing and responding to children's feelings and by involving both parents in a child's school life via newsletters, conferences, and progress reports. Principals should form coalitions with community groups, lure…

When a well-conceived combination of innovative learning strategies is used, the results are generally more favorable than those attained using any single strategy. Broadening the scope of planning and implementation will not only help integrate innovations, but will enhance opportunities for collegial sharing. Integration guidelines are provided.…

Of 1,700 homeless in Orange County, Florida, 40 percent are families. In 1988, a coalition of 34 agencies formed to address this challenge. A school district task force composed of community members, university student tutors, and key players from transportation services, pupil assignment, health services, Chapter 1, extended day, exceptional…

In 1992, collaborators from the San Marcos and Austin school districts, Southwest Texas State University, a regional education service center, and a telephone company formed the Center for Professional Development and Technology. Their goal was utilizing technology to redesign teacher education within a classroom context. Teachers learn to use…