Family engagement with schools has been shown to be a predictor of student success (Powell et at., 2010) and federal statute supports school/ family relationships through the Family Engagement in Education Act. For students with disabilities (SWD), family engagement may be even more critical. Unfortunately, data has suggested that family…

Because traditional parent-teacher conferences exclude the student from the process, this model does little to facilitate dialogue between parent and child or to recognize the need for students to assume greater control of their academic progress. Student-led conferences are a positive alternative to the traditional middle level parent-teacher…

The paper presents four steps to effective parent-teacher conferences that enable teachers to make parents partners in a team effort to strengthen students' academic, social, and emotional well-being. Preconference worksheets for both parents and students to complete are attached. (SM)

This paper briefly discusses the rationale for and importance of establishing effective communication between parents and their children and between parents and schools. Five steps parents can take to develop positive communication with their children are outlined, and 14 general communication guidelines for carrying out a successful…

Research has shown that parents can make significant contributions to the education of their severely emotionally disturbed children if given appropriate guidance by education professionals. To actively engage parents in educational processes, educators need to be skilled in effective communication strategies. Working with parents on one focused…

Offers suggestions for conducting an effective parent-teacher conference and using the information gained for the benefit of children. Suggestions are aimed at reducing anxiety and confusion on the part of parents and teachers and creating a working relationship that contributes to both parents' and children's development. (BB)

This book helps parents develop good working relationships with their children's teachers and become involved with the school. Suggestions are provided for dealing with school bureaucracy and individual teachers. Emphasis is placed on parent empathy with the teacher's role. Topics discussed include: skills specific to effective communication with…

Effective parent-teacher conferences have the potential to be the single most educationally valuable event for the student during the school year. With increased parental involvement in the day-to-day operation of the schools and greater parental awareness of the educational process, it becomes apparent that educators need to be prepared to…

This guide, written by Marcia Burchby, Ralph Martin, and George Wood, for improving relations between teachers and parents emphasizes that the onus of bringing about better relations and clearer lines of communication falls upon the teacher. In the first part, six key questions offer guidelines for introspective examination on the part of the…

This module (part of a series of 24 modules) is on philosophies, competencies, and skills that will aid the teacher in communicating with parents. The genesis of these materials is in the 10 "clusters of capabilities," outlined in the paper, "A Common Body of Practice for Teachers: The Challenge of Public Law 94-142 to Teacher…

This collection of 9 papers presented at a conference on parent involvement in the schools focuses on topics such as communication among teachers, children, and parents; actual parent participation in the educational program; and parental control of the educational program. Papers included were: (1) "Establishing Effective Communications between…

This practicum study was designed to improve the communication and social skills of 43 students (ages 14-22) with developmental disabilities by involving families in at-home treatment activities that reinforced and enhanced in-school and community-based speech/language therapy and by increasing attendance of parents at school meetings and…

This report outlines the Mississippi Quality Education Project (QEP), a program that provides intensive training to parents, teachers, and school administrators for the purpose of improving the nature and quality of home-to-school communications, and with the ultimate objective of improving students' academic achievement. The report includes a…

This paper discusses the importance of teachers and parents of students with learning disabilities working together to ensure that students' educational programs are appropriate and address their specific needs. It provides guidelines aimed at fostering positive teacher-parent relationships by discussing recent legislative mandates and current…

Provides guidelines for fostering positive teacher-parent relationships. Discusses recent legislative mandates, how parent/teacher relationships are affected by current policy issues promoted by professional education organizations, and methods of constructive communication. Parents and teachers of students with learning disabilities are urged to…