A parent who is also an education major offers guidelines to classroom teachers involved in parent-teacher conferences to discuss individualized education programs. Emphasized are: the teacher's role as coordinator and moderator of the conference, preparing parents for the meeting, providing support for them, and making clear explanations during…

Observation of 26 initial placement/individual education plan (IEP) conferences for elementary age learning-disabled children found minimal parent participation during the conferences, but parents reported, in postconference interviews, satisfaction with the conferences. Results are related to the intent of P.L. 94-142, the Education for All…

Discusses benefits of sidewalk or on-the-run conferences when teachers can talk to reticent parents, helping them feel welcome at school. Explains how to approach a sidewalk crowd, possible results of conferences, and what professionals can learn from off-the-record conferences. Suggests alternative ways to meet informally with parents to inform…

The Parent Transition Plan ensures a child's smooth transition from preschool to public school kindergarten and assigns responsibility for various tasks to parents or school personnel. This article outlines the need for a transition plan, the goals of transition planning, and guidelines for writing the plan at a parent-teacher meeting. (JDD)

Discusses facilitating culturally sensitive transition plans for young children transitioning to kindergarten and their families. Addresses transition roles for families and adapting transition roles for culturally diverse families. Stresses the need for transition teams to emphasize continuity, communication, collaboration, and family concerns.…

Describes a parent/teacher partnership that stretched over one school year: a home response journal/literacy conference effort involving parent/teacher conferences, discussion of the reading-development continuum, weekly newsletters, and response journals in which parents wrote about their children's interactions with language. Shows how parents…

This practicum addressed educators' concerns that relatively few parents involve themselves in the reevaluation process of high school-level students with mild disabilities. The practicum sought to increase parent involvement in the development of 10 students' academic and career/vocational programs. The practicum involved encouraging parents to…

Guidelines for conducting home visits with parents of Title I students are presented. The guidelines include the following: (1) a list of purposes for home visits; (2) suggestions for what to do and what not to do when visiting; (3) types of information that parents can provide; and (4) ways to deal with difficult situations. Additional materials…

A kindergarten teacher implemented a practicum designed to increase parent involvement in their children's kindergarten and give parents information about the kindergarten program. Specific goals of the intervention were to inform parents about kindergarten routine, kindergarten requirements and concepts of child development, and to help parents…

This practicum was designed in response to a lack of parental involvement in a fourth grade classroom. The goals of the practicum were: (1) to encourage parents to become involved in helping their children learn at home as well as at school by attending parent-teacher conferences and other school-related activities; (2) to provide home visitation…

School and home communication is of increasing interest in an era of concern for educational accountability. A review of research shows that landmark studies of the 1960s concentrated on the educational needs of the disadvantaged child and the influence of the home on school achievement. The current trend is toward attempting to unite the…

Teachers, principals, and other educational leaders in the United States were asked what is being done, what works, and what can be used to build a successful parent-teacher team. Here are the results--hundreds of workable ideas organized into a four-part process that combines the best from schools across America. (Author/RK)

To enhance the interaction level between parents and multidisciplinary team members at meetings on individualized education programs, seven recommendations and nine print resources are offered. (MC)

This skill packet presents strategies for training parents to be involved in their children's education. Section 1 focuses on understanding the relationship between positive self-esteem and academic achievement. Section 2 discusses the purpose of parent-teacher conferences and how to enhance communication. Section 3 focuses on research supporting…