Reports on a study of parent-teacher interaction, in which discussions and conferences between parents and teacher centered around literacy artifacts that children produced in school and at home. Suggests that the creation of home portfolios may provide a starting point for teachers and parents to discuss children's developing literacy. (TB)

A "recovering" former principal humorously discusses the collapse of society, the condition of today's children, and the pressures facing parents. Noting dramatic changes in principals' roles, he offers tips for eliciting parents' support. Principals should make parents feel welcome, use proper body language during conferences, and…

Describes program in which elementary school students lead parent-teacher conferences, shares authors' experiences with the student-led conferences, and discusses how the process has fostered student responsibility. Describes results of informal study that support the student-led conference. (NB)

Parents should keep in mind a number of things when preparing for teacher-student conferences. First, parent-teacher conferences are important to the child's success at school. Parent-teacher conferences give parents the opportunity to deal with any misunderstandings and discuss things that relate to their child's progress in school. It is an…

Offers suggestions to help teachers plan for more effective conferences with parents. (FL)

Drastic social problems challenge teachers looking to increase parental involvement in schools. Traditional strategies to involve parents, such as inviting parents to meetings and school events, do not promote genuine interaction between home and school. Instead, they separate parents and teachers. Two-way communication between home and school is…