This study examined relationships between Parents' involvement as related to their Identification and Alertness and to four students' variables Attitudes toward school, Social adjustment, Self-efficacy and Academic achievements. Social adjustment was the most dominant variable and served as a mediator between self-efficacy and achievements.…

This practicum report describes a reading program that was designed and implemented to help improve reading attitudes among fifth grade children. A target group of 17 fifth-graders were unmotivated and uninterested in reading, and TV occupied a great deal of their out-of-class time. Solution strategies involved encouraging parents, teachers, and…

A practicum aimed to improve the attitudes toward recreational reading of 12 intermediate grade level English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students so that they would share their enthusiasm and interests in pleasure reading, as well as devote more time to reading. The writer met with parents of ESL students to discuss ways they could encourage…

The problem examined in this study deals with the extent to which parental help in preparing for a science fair and parental support for the project affect students' attitudes toward the science fair. Fifty subjects were randomly selected from a group of 110 6th-grade students. There were 28 girls and 22 boys selected from the central-Virginia…

This report summarizes data for students participating in the Transition Sixth (T-6) Dropout Prevention program in Broward County Public Schools, Florida, from the 1987-88 to 1990-91 school years. The T-6 program uses an early intervention strategy designed to reduce the dropout rate by allowing selected over-age fourth graders to master skills…

Describes efforts by some high school and middle school coaches to counter the negative societal trend toward disrespect and violence in sports. These efforts include enlisting parent support and participation in character education, as well as implementing formal curricula that promote respect and oppose violence. (SLD)

Investigated sixth-grade students' perceptions of parental involvement with homework. Students completed mathematics homework assignments designed to involve parents, then completed surveys examining their experiences. Significant numbers of students believed they did better in school when parents helped with homework, but they had mixed…

Investigated various factors related to a project designed to increase scientific literacy of two age groups by simultaneously exposing middle school children and their parents to short science courses. Findings, among others, show that parents and children made significant gains in learning and that they found the experience enjoyable and…

Providing a low-key, nonthreatening way for teachers and parents to build partnerships for kids, this book presents short, concrete activities in English and Spanish to foster communication between teachers and parents and between parents and children. While the activities in the book are designed for grade 4, none of the activities have…

Most children do not come home from school empty-handed, but laden with one or more assignments to be completed at home and returned to school the next day. Research suggests that parental involvement with homework can enable and enhance its positive effect. This study investigated middle-grades students' perceptions about parental involvement…

When busing limits number of afternoon activities and students do not seem interested anyway, principals must look for opportunities during day to involve students. One inner-city middle-school principal helped teachers initiate program of morning clubs and assemblies to increase student self-esteem and encourage student and parent involvement…

Notes that magnet schools are part of reform desegregation efforts in many school districts. Describes a study that explored perceptions of isolation among parents of students from different races in upper elementary and middle school magnet programs. Characterized the sensitivity of teachers to isolation in their schools. (Author/LPP)

A study investigated effects of a parent volunteer program--a component of the Summer Reading Program of the University of Maryland at College Park--upon children's self-perceptions as readers and their motivation to read. Subjects were 10 students in grades 4 or 6 who were identified as achieving below grade level and who were low motivated…

Describes the Star Project in which each student was allowed to select a topic in any area of interest and then to create a project around that topic. Students selected mentors (often parents) to monitor and encourage their progress. The article describes the project's successes and failures. (SM)

A practicum was designed to utilize various techniques to: (1) improve the involvement of parents and volunteers in the education of fourth grade students; (2) help the students develop a more positive attitude toward self, school, home, and community; and (3) increase students' school attendance rate and participation in school and community…