Reviews demographic and other trends in elementary schools, including pupil teacher ratios, school size, student and family characteristics, private schools, teacher age and years of teaching, state and local revenues, federal aid, expenditures, and writing and reading proficiencies. Includes five tables. (MD)

Describes changes in U.S. demographic patterns involving transiency, racial and ethnic diversity, and poverty. Discusses four implications for principals: Be prepared to deal with greater diversity; expect to see fewer children from traditional two-parent families; focus on quality preschool programs; be aware of local demographic trends. (PKP)

Because of accelerating social change, conventional parent involvement efforts aimed at the traditional family have proven ineffective. This article discusses three basic approaches to involve parents: direct involvement in school management and choice; participation in special parenting training programs; and participation in family resource and…

The best dropout prevention programs give students a chance to succeed, promote a sense of personal responsibility, build self-esteem, structure work so it can be done well, and celebrate accomplishment of any kind. (MLF)

Elementary school enrollment rose 9% between 1990 and 1996, with largest increases among minorities and in the West, Southwest, and Southeast. Highly educated parents are more likely to enroll their kids in day care; 50% of all 5-year olds attend full-day kindergarten. Schools are getting bigger, and parental involvement in literacy education is…

By 2010, whites will comprise only 9% of the world's population--the smallest ethnic minority. While 26% of all Americans are nonwhite, among schoolchildren it is 36% The North's populations are old, white, wealthy, well educated, and declining. The South and West's populations are young, ethnically diverse, poorer, less educated, and increasing.…

Discusses enrollment and other trends regarding preprimary education, student and family characteristics, public and private school populations, teachers, revenue, federal aid, expenditures per pupil, mathematics proficiency, and computer competence. (MLH)

During 1990-95, most states showed increases in total elementary school enrollments and minority group enrollments. About 75% of all preschool children attend day care centers. First graders are getting older. The number of teachers is increasing; there has been little change in pupil-teacher ratios or class size. State public finance shows modest…

If we are to close the gaps in achievement among Latino students, we must commit our most able teachers and administrators and prepare them for success. In addition, we need to add Hispanic cultural studies and place value on fluency in Spanish as well as English. Lists nine tips principals can use to involve Latino parents. (MLF)

This could be the year the schools begin to make significant progress in addressing minority education issues. Television programs produced by the Public Broadcasting System and closed-circuit teleconferences can be utilized by principals to forge partnerships between their schools and communities. (MLF)

In this special section, various authors (in separate articles) discuss the new face of school segregation; socioeconomic integration--a plan to mix poor and middle-class students; and ways to bridge the minority achievement gap, teach linguistically diverse students, and identify and nurture the gifted poor. (MLH)

Public school enrollment is increasing, especially among minority students. Preschool attendance is up. The number of elementary schools has lagged behind enrollment and school size. Teacher numbers and salaries have risen since the 1980s. Local school revenues are surpassing state government revenues. The national per pupil expenditure rate is…