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 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…

Although the Migrant Education Program dates from 1965, parental involvement in it is governed by very recent statutory and regulatory requirements. Current statutory requirements come from the Elementary Secondary Education Amendments (ESEA) of 1978. They concern the establishment of and consultation by State and Local Education Agencies (SEAs…

Legislation in 1977 strengthened the role of school councils, comprised of teachers, parents, and students, in South Carolina to increase community and parent participation in schools. Accomplishments achieved and obstacles encountered by school councils are discussed. Aspects of effective councils are identified. (BJV)

The PTA continues to be engaged in projects and programs which relate to parents' and children's perception and understanding of the world of work, education, and career development. Current activities include a project focusing on television's effects on children and youth, the national PTA's Urban Education project determining issues in public…

Decentralized decision-making is an important characteristic of effective schools. Effective decentralization requires that teachers, parents, students, and the community be involved, despite the various problems they face. The creation of school improvement councils is one step towards implementing the massive structural change needed to improve…

This guide for parents of gifted children in Texas is intended to provide general information and sources of additional help. Section 1 examines the meaning of being gifted and talented and provides the Texas definition of giftedness, lists of characteristics and concomitant problems of gifted and talented children, and a discussion of the highly…

This handbook is a compilation of information and source material used by the California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools in organizaing and constructing their system of nursery schools, in which the parents participate in the education of the children. The handbook is designed to help new schools get started or to anticipate or…

Noting that a growing number of men are not fulfilling their financial, moral, or social responsibilities to their children, this report aims to provide a rough "map" of the main elements of an emerging fatherhood movement along with a discussion of related policy and program initiatives. The report also provides selected examples of innovative…

This guide for parents of children with disabilities in Alberta (Canada) focuses on the role of the parent on the educational team. Part 1 describes the rights of parents, the responsibilities of parents, and where parents can go for information and help. Part 2 discusses schools as partners, including information for parents on how to procure…

Designed for Hmong 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 making mediation…

A bilingual handbook for Title I migrant Parent Advisory Councils (PACs) was designed to be used by administrators, teachers, consultants and parents in organizing and training PACs at local, district, and state levels. All information is duplicated in separate English and Spanish sections. The first part discusses the Texas migrant program,…

Schools are more effective for students from strong family backgrounds than for those from weak ones as a result of the interaction between the resources devoted by the family to the child's education, and the resources provided by the school. The elements the family supplies towards the child's education must be developed through investment in…