One of the most important things early childhood professionals can do for children is to help them form connections that promote the development of confidence and self-esteem, encourage the risk-taking that is needed to try new things, and contribute to a sense of well-being and belonging. Field trips are a wonderful way to foster these…

This guide informs parents about some instructional practices that work well for all elementary school students, in particular English learners. It includes questions parents can ask teachers and principals to help them understand how their children's school approaches teaching and learning. Both English and Spanish versions of the document are…

An ever growing body of research indicates that parental involvement is a key factor in the success of children in school. Studies have shown that children whose parents take an active interest in their education benefit in a number of ways. These children generally have higher academic achievement, better attendance, a sense of well-being, a…

With the needs of experienced teachers potentially overshadowed by a focus on recruitment, the purpose of this study was to retrospectively explore the reasons why three experienced physical education teachers resigned. They were interviewed through Louis and Smith's (1990) quality of work life (QWL) model. Data suggested shared dissatisfactions…

The first contact parents may have with a professional in relation to their child with a disability is often at the point of diagnosis. From that moment onwards, parents embark on a journey that generally involves the formation of many relationships with professionals working in the field. These relationships have the potential to facilitate…

The present article explores home-school relations by analyzing how Swedish teachers and parents negotiate responsibility for children's education and rearing through school letters. It draws on participant observations using a video camera in families, interviews with parents, and analysis of school letters written by teachers to parents. The…

This report summarizes the district-level results of the 2007-2008 AISD parent survey. A separate supplemental report also was published. [For the supplemental report, see ED628082.]

Early career special educators must be engaged in conversations with developers of preservice teacher preparation programs to co-construct initial teacher education programs which meet their needs. The process of listening to the teachers themselves could serve to ensure that teachers are an explicit element of program design. This article…

The purpose of this position statement is to promote excellence in early childhood education by providing a framework for best practice. Grounded both in the research on child development and learning and in the knowledge base regarding educational effectiveness, the framework outlines practice that promotes young children's optimal learning and…

Growing concerns about the experience and achievement of Black pupils (especially Black males) underpin calls for more Black people to serve as teacher and lay mentor role models in schools. Calls for increased numbers of Black teacher role models assume firstly, that Black teachers regard themselves as role models and want to perform such a role…

Parents who present communication problems and ways teachers might work with them are described.

A descriptive account of the diverse experiences and reactions, both positive and negative, of a resource teacher for a Follow Through Program at an Indian elementary school in Fort Yates, North Dakota, and her attempts to promote teacher cooperation and engender local involvement in the school. (EH)

This article stressed the importance of constant constructive communication between parents, teachers and students as a means towards building a relationship of trust, understanding and fulfillment in the special class. (Editor/RK)

Teacher discussed the way of life in the ghetto and its effect on the teacher and student. (RK)

Dimensions of a rich and nurturing learning climate for the early childhood years are discussed. Contents focus on: (1) the early childhood scene; (2) the teacher's role in creating a positive learning climate; (3) the transition from home to school during the first few days of school; (4) the outdoor classroom; (5) school climate and staff…