There is an alarming shortage of qualified teachers in America, and while there are many excellent teachers, we risk losing them to other occupations. Ways to keep and attract good teachers are briefly discussed. Specific recommendations for PTA action are offered. (MT)

To help parents select educational software that will supplement their child's schoolwork, purchasing guidelines are suggested. Two books for further reading are recommended. (JL)

This article discusses ideal roles for both parents and teachers in parent-teacher conferences. Parents should use a team approach, prepare questions for the teacher, and listen to what the teacher has to say. Teachers should prepare students for the conference, create a welcoming environment for parents, and plan a general outline for the…

Suggestions are presented for encouraging even "busy" families to attend parent-teacher association and school meetings in such areas as meeting times, recruitment efforts, time commitments, access to meetings, meeting efficiency, and meeting topics. (CB)

The school dropout problem is discussed, with suggestions for parents on ensuring that their children do not become part of the dropout population, including; monitoring children's school attendance patterns; making sure children understand how important school and attendance is; maintaining close contact with teachers; and helping children…

Resources, suggestions, and examples are listed to guide parent-teacher associations who wish to hold interesting health meetings, focusing on teaching parents about their children's health and development issues, involving students, and facilitating parent-child communication. (CB)

Ways in which parent teacher associations can help teachers create a favorable learning environment and improve teachers' working and living conditions include: fostering parent involvement; integrating in-school and out-of-school activities; supporting efforts to upgrade teachers' salaries; and welcoming teachers into the community.

A list of questions has been compiled to help teachers work with parents on common reading problems of students. (DF)

Teachers who have been recognized as outstanding share advice on how parents can work with teachers, encourage responsibility, reinforce learning, assist in adjustment to junior high school, and generally stay alert to a child's needs. (MT)

The new national Parent Teacher Association (PTA) president challenges PTAs to make children the first priority in U.S. schools, communities, businesses, state legislatures, and the federal government, arguing that if children are first, no matter what other priorities occur, there will be funding and programs for them. (SM)

Understanding and creating art can teach students to work cooperatively and strive to achieve goals. Parents can encourage students' participation in art by supporting community art programs and helping to decide how art will be taught in school. The paper describes how to plan and conduct art education PTA meetings. (SM)

Parents and teachers who are informed about epilepsy can avoid unpleasant classroom situations. A brief explanation of epilepsy is followed by information on what to do in case a seizure occurs at school. The best policy is for parents to forewarn the school and create an appropriate plan. (SM)

The Chicago (Illinois) public school system has developed a discipline program that stresses fair and consistent discipline. School personnel, parents, students, and the community are all involved in school activities. Several of the programs and activities are discussed. (DF)

Tips for enhancing parent-teacher communications include volunteer, get to know the teacher, make an appointment before seeing the teacher, provide positive feedback, contact the teacher early with problems, suggest PTA-sponsored communications workshops, respect teachers' perspectives, express anger elsewhere, accept positive and negative…

Parent-teacher associations can take advantage of resources offered by many other organizations to develop interesting and educational programs. A listing of several national and local groups to contact for information is given. (DF)