Documents a relatively new approach adopted by a school to involve parents and students in the formulation of individualized educational goals and plans, the collection of data for comprehensive files, and student assessment. Presents feedback from teachers, parents, and students, and assesses the effectiveness of the program. (DSK)

This research project was designed to help the faculty at a southwestern, urban elementary school better understand what parents thought about the school's alternative assessment methods and narrative reporting to communicate with parents. Assessment methods were defined as the ways teachers learn about students' understandings, and communication…

Because traditional parent-teacher conferences exclude the student from the process, this model does little to facilitate dialogue between parent and child or to recognize the need for students to assume greater control of their academic progress. Student-led conferences are a positive alternative to the traditional middle level parent-teacher…

Much discussion in educational circles centers on such issues as assessment, student performance, parent conferences, and related topics. The 1996 Yearbook provides information about and examples of outstanding assessment reporting systems in use in the United States and Canada. The following contributions are included: (1) "Introduction" (Thomas…

This technical assistance paper presents information designed to assist school personnel in assessing the strengths and needs of children and planning developmentally appropriate curriculum strategies. The first topic addressed is assessment strategies, which include developmental screening, diagnostic instruments, teacher observation, parent…

A look at one application of videotape recordings in which records of individual students' performances in the classrooms are presented to their parents in video form. (AK)

Questionnaires were used to evaluate 59 parents' reactions and understanding of diagnostic information from written reports and conferences in a clinic for speech, learning, language, and hearing problems. (Author/CL)

Examines "okay" deployed as an assessment of student performance in parent-teacher conference interactions. Data drawn for 35 videotaped and audiotaped conferences are presented to demonstrate that "okay" participates as a value in two distinct metrics of assessment--one binary, one gradated. (Author/VWL)

Parent teacher conferences in an open classroom elementary school is described. (CB)

Article illustrated some of the problems a teacher has in recording the progress of students for parental analysis. (RK)

In this article, the author shares how she turned once-dreaded parent-teacher conferences into valuable assessments, evaluations, and action plans using the fourth-generation evaluation method. Fourth-generation evaluation has three main components. First, it includes a multitude of assessment tools. Second, it involves stakeholders in the…

This book presents a teacher's responses to various real questions asked by student teachers and beginning teachers. The nine chapters are: (1) "It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got That Swing: Teacher Attitude"; (2) "Who, What, When, Where, and Why, Oh Why, Me?: Organization"; (3) "A Little Song, A Little Dance, A Little Quiz Tomorrow: Delivery…

This leaflet, developed by the Division of Planning and Research, Los Angeles City Schools, recognizes the need for better communication between schools and parents and pupils, particularly in the area of reporting pupil progress. The guide points out some of the ways in which parents, pupils and teachers can work together to assist children.…

A Washington principal has developed nine strategies to increase parent-teacher conferences' value. Teachers should identify a student's strengths and weaknesses in reading, writing, listening, and speaking; highlight areas where progress is lacking; provide parents with work samples; discuss the student's participation level; and identify growth…