Reviews the Schools Reaching Out programs in New York City and Roxbury (MA). Describes and recommends three successful aspects of these programs: the parent center within the schools, home visits by teachers, and teacher action research teams. (DM)

Discusses ways in which teachers can maintain daily communication with busy or uncommunicative parents. Techniques include providing observations to parents about their child's behavior, talking to parents on a weekly basis, communicating about the child's progress every semester, and sending notes accompanied by a photograph of the child. (RJC)

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)

Investigated the usefulness of home-school reports for different communities of parents. Data from parent interviews and a survey of reporting practices in English secondary schools indicated that many schools were doing more than was legally required, though there were many difficulties. Parents felt that reports were overgeneralized and…

This manual is said to be intended to bring together under one cover the fundamental documents relating to the landmark legislation, the Transitional Bilingual Education Act. A general synopsis of Chapter 71A of the Act includes what a program in transitional bilingual education consists of, who has the right to it, and what the obligations of the…

Partnering with parents is essential if an early childhood program is to succeed. "From Parents to Partners" explores the reasons and methods for developing ongoing partnerships with parents and other family members. It also provides the tools and strategies needed to build the communication and support networks within which these partnerships…

The practicum was designed to increase parent participation in a preschool (birth to 3 years) special education program serving children with handicaps in Chicago, Illinois. The practicum was intended to provide parents with an effective and meaningful involvement in a structured program of transition services. Input from both staff and parents…

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…

Examines several ways for teachers to improve public relations with parents through the media, parents' night activities, and parent teacher conferences. (JMB)

An Illinois school district describes seven ways it has successfully encouraged parent participation at school events. (MD)

A parent center supported by the Albuquerque Public School System and the University of New Mexico promotes cooperation between parents and educators to serve exceptional children. The center was based on assumptions about money, time, personnel, parent heterogeneity, and needs/strengths as delineated in the "Mirror Model of Parent Involvement."…

Eight teachers contribute their ideas for successfully working with parents. Included are: a parent information/resource center; guidelines for parent teacher conferences; ideas for using parents as classroom volunteers; and skill development activities that parents can use at home with their children. (SJL)

Offers five ways to maintain communication lines between parents and English teachers. (RL)

This article discusses student-led conferences. Student-led conferences can be organized in many ways; most involve students following an outline or a script to share work with their parents. Although this is a seemingly simple process to follow, student-led conferences require considerable planning and organization. The benefits, however, are…

The parent-teacher conference is a valuable strategy to improve a student's performance. This news brief offers suggestions for developing a "parent friendly" handbook to help parents effectively prepare for teacher-parent conferences. The handbook should include the basic information, a statement that emphasizes the importance of the conference,…