This information brief describes the Parent to Parent Program, which provides information and one-to-one emotional support to parents of children who have special needs. In the program, trained and experienced parents are carefully matched in one-to-one relationships with parents who are new to the program. The matches are based upon similarities…

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…

Describes the partnership between the early childhood program at the University of Vermont and Parent to Parent of Vermont. The partnership was designed to set a context for preparation of family-centered practitioners by modeling the qualities of a collaborative relationship between families and professionals and by developing a family-centered…

This article is a report of an investigation into what practicing leaders in Florida believe they must know and be capable of in order to effectively perform their role. The focus is relevant to the preparation of principals and to best practices that can advance the profession of educational administration. Reflecting an unusual approach to…

This theme issue offers a collection of articles focusing on support groups for parents of infants and toddlers, including the following: (1) "Gaining Perspective on Parenting Groups" (Nick Carter and Cathie Harvey) which reviews the purposes, history, and essential ingredients of such groups; (2) "The MELD Experience with Parent Groups" (Joyce…

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…

Written from a conservative perspective, this handbook provides practical advice to "parent activists" who wish to organize groups to influence or oppose school policies. Each of the six "steps" is presented in a question-and-answer format, followed in certain instances by "example cases" and attachments. Step one,…

This paper identifies and attempts to clarify the major roles of a Catholic school principal, with references to many Christian heroes and heroines as examples. Those roles include teacher, teacher of teachers, financier, one who deals with boards of education and parent organizations, one who works with church authorities and religious orders,…

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)

This book presents an ethnography of community efforts in Carpinteria, California, to bridge ethnic differences, empower parents, and improve education for the town's diverse student population. Located on the central California coast south of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria has been home to generations of Mexican immigrants and their children. Over…

These three issues of "Deaf-Blind Perspectives" feature the following articles: (1) "A Group for Students with Usher Syndrome in South Louisiana" (Faye Melancon); (2) "Simply Emily," which discusses a budding friendship between a girl with deaf-blindness and a peer; (3) "Intervener Update" (Peggy Malloy and…

The purpose of this bulletin is to make available information as to what and where college and university help through extension methods may be had. The information was gathered, in the main, by means of a questionnaire, sent to all colleges and universities in the United States, and by an examination of catalogues. The study shows that many…

This report describes activities and accomplishments of the Washington State Services for Children with Deaf-Blindness 3-year, federally supported program to provide technical assistance and training to families and service providers of approximately 140 children with deaf-blindness. Specific outcomes are listed for each of the project's 11…

This handbook is designed to provide information to parents of gifted children in Alberta, Canada. The handbook outlines the mission and objectives of the Alberta Associations for Bright Children and describes the structure of the non-profit organization. The booklet then addresses: (1) the characteristics of gifted children; (2) the rights of…