This final report discusses the activities and outcomes of a study that investigated the involvement of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and non-American Indian/Alaska Native parents of children with disabilities in the general educational and Individualized Education Program (IEP) processes, and the specific needs of parents that would…

This report reviews ongoing projects by the Parent Advocacy Center for Educational Rights (PACER), in particular its parent training program and programs for students. The Parents Helping Parents project is described and evaluated, including its efforts concerning public information, workshops for all parents, workshops for special groups,…

Parents and taxpayers should understand Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act so that they can ensure that funds are properly spent, that children who need help most receive it, and that Federal and State laws are followed in distributing and using Title I funds. This booklet is written especially for parent advisory council…

In this paper, boards of education are urged to evaluate their policies and their performance in relation to parent and citizen involvement and to consider seriously how programs at districtwide and school levels can be improved. The emphasis in such programs should be on developing open two-way communications and full participation aimed at…

This is the fourth report on participation in "Eastport," a heterogeneous suburb with a history of school-community conflict. Sociological concepts derived from reference group and role theory are utilized to analyze the effects of structural change designed to increase parent participation in decisionmaking at the local school level. Findings…

This handbook provides activities and methods that educators can use to encourage Indian and Metis parents to become more involved in the education of their children and in the provincial school system as a whole. Chapter 1 includes exercises and quizzes to help teachers understand their own views on cultural awareness, racism, and values. Chapter…

PTAs in the northwest are regaining momentum and membership by becoming involved in advocating for education reform, seeking funding, promoting child safety, seeking equity, addressing discrimination, providing school enrichment programs, establishing site-based management councils, involving parents in educational decision making, addressing…

This study examines the ways in which parents and other community members, especially urban minorities and the poor, participate in decisions that bear on the education of their children. Information concerning the role and effectiveness of community organizations in Atlanta, Boston, and Los Angeles over a 15 month period is summarized. The…

Through means such as parent choice, participation in a home visitor program, and work with a church group, "hard to reach" parents can become involved in the following aspects of education: (1) decision-making; (2) home-school coordinated activities; (3) advocacy; (4) school support; and (5) parent education and support. (BJV)

This project was developed and implemented to improve an open library program by increasing parent involvement. Through initial surveys, questionnaires, and the author's personal experience, it was determined that the problems experienced by parents, teachers, administrators, and students in the open library program were due to the ineffectiveness…

The paper examines parent involvement in the governance of schools. Five structures that incorporate elected parent representatives in consultative and decision-making committees established by law are discussed: (1) School Improvement Councils (Massachusetts); (2) Boards of Governors (England and Wales); (3) Counseils d'etablissement (France);…

Designed for Spanish-speaking parents of students with disabilities living in Oregon, this brochure describes the general mediation process that parents can use to resolve special education services disputes with schools. It begins by discussing what mediation is and the characteristics of a trained mediator. It addresses the requirement for…

This theme issue offers a collection of articles focusing on support groups for parents of infants and toddlers, including the following: (1) "Gaining Perspective on Parenting Groups" (Nick Carter and Cathie Harvey) which reviews the purposes, history, and essential ingredients of such groups; (2) "The MELD Experience with Parent Groups" (Joyce…

This guidebook for parents of children with emotional or behavioral disorders includes descriptions of common diagnoses and therapies, information on programs and services, and a description of the roles of various mental health professionals. Introductory sections note the extent of the problem and the importance of parents not blaming…

Written from a conservative perspective, this handbook provides practical advice to "parent activists" who wish to organize groups to influence or oppose school policies. Each of the six "steps" is presented in a question-and-answer format, followed in certain instances by "example cases" and attachments. Step one,…