Delineates the rationale underlying traditional preschool programs by drawing together theory that is accepted by early childhood educators. Makes an effort to use ordinary language that could be used by teachers to explain the program to parents. (Author/CM)

Examines the purposes of student evaluation and how they influence the daily life of the classroom. Discusses feedback to students and parents, minimum competencies, classroom observations, formal tests, and self-evaluation. (SS)

Discusses benefits of sidewalk or on-the-run conferences when teachers can talk to reticent parents, helping them feel welcome at school. Explains how to approach a sidewalk crowd, possible results of conferences, and what professionals can learn from off-the-record conferences. Suggests alternative ways to meet informally with parents to inform…

Describes a complaint file system for dealing with students' complaints about others, whereby students write up their complaints and deposit them in the teacher's mailbox for future action. Describes requirements for complaints and how each is followed up with a written conference with parent(s) and perhaps a meeting with a counselor. (KDFB)

Teachers can prepare themselves for angry confrontations with parents by learning how to cope with parent anger and channeling it into positive action. A five-step process, the I.D.E.A.L. system, is outlined and recommended as an effective technique for converting angry parents into collaborators. (IAH)

The Parent Transition Plan ensures a child's smooth transition from preschool to public school kindergarten and assigns responsibility for various tasks to parents or school personnel. This article outlines the need for a transition plan, the goals of transition planning, and guidelines for writing the plan at a parent-teacher meeting. (JDD)

Educational disputes involving gifted students may be resolved via conferences with parties involved, mediation, due process, or court litigation. Students in programs or activities receiving federal support may file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. Suggestions are offered for becoming informed about…

Discusses facilitating culturally sensitive transition plans for young children transitioning to kindergarten and their families. Addresses transition roles for families and adapting transition roles for culturally diverse families. Stresses the need for transition teams to emphasize continuity, communication, collaboration, and family concerns.…

Describes a parent/teacher partnership that stretched over one school year: a home response journal/literacy conference effort involving parent/teacher conferences, discussion of the reading-development continuum, weekly newsletters, and response journals in which parents wrote about their children's interactions with language. Shows how parents…

Examines the importance of reporting portfolio contents through effective conferences or conferencing. Provides several strategies and factors that come into play, including the four "C's" of conferencing: (1) collecting; (2) collaborating; (3) consulting; and (4) communicating. Addresses conference objectives, generic conference…

A study involving 11 non-medical professionals and 17 parents of children with autism resulted in the following guidelines for sharing a diagnosis of autism, including establish a family-friendly setting, understand the family's needs, use good communication skills, provide a list of resources and interventions, discuss prognosis, provide hope,…

Data from four parent-teacher dyads highlighted the nature of discourse during parent-teacher conferences focused around family literacy portfolios. Participating Latino parents attended an intergenerational literacy program. Results show how parents and teachers share the floor during conferences and highlight the influence of portfolios on topic…

An author of 26 books for young adults writes about different forms of censorship including rewriting history textbooks and parents who censor themselves by not staying in touch with their children. Citing Cormier's "The Chocolate War" and Golding's "Lord of the Flies" and making reference to the Colulmbine school murders, he illustrates the…

Examines the nature of the relationship between educators and parents of children in public schools, focusing on minority families. Discusses the need for flexibility and adaptability, the value of informal assessment, effective joint parent-teacher problem solving, and family differences and support. Provides options for improving communication…