Lessons learned over 26 years about parent power by the Gifted Child Society in New Jersey are recounted, including the importance of respecting the group that holds the power, adopting a constitution, and identifying leaders. (CL)

The need for a public relations program implemented by the International Parents' Organization is discussed. (RD)

The National Network of Parent Coalitions is composed of 23 coalitions operated by parents whose children have a variety of disabilities. The coalitions help each other in such areas as information, advocacy, peer support, and coordinated training. Members of the National Network of Parent Coalitions are listed. (CL)

Increasingly, there is advocacy for parents to be included in partnership roles with schools. Indeed, the term "partnership" seems to have acquired the connotation of an ideal form of parent-school relationship. This paper argues that the notion of partnership, with its accompanying suggestion of equality as a framework for the…

The mother of a child with specific learning disabilities recounts his progress from 18 months to 16-years-old and stresses the need for coordinated medical, educational, and parental action to identify and remediate learning problems. (LC)

The directory lists 123 local or state parent groups for gifted children in 37 states. Groups are listed alphabetically by name under each state. Provided for each listing is name and address; a contact person (name, address, and phone number); an additional contact person; membership number; organization focus; examples of past and present…

Designed primarily for parents of children with genetic disorders, the booklet provides information about parent groups. Part 1 describes parent groups, including organization, types of groups, and methods of outreach. A sample letter of invitation to attend a parent group and an outline of the initial meeting is included along with a list of…

This handbook has been written to address issues such as how to organize an effective parent group, how to develop a plan of action that gets results, how to deal effectively with school officials, how to make a parent organization work, and how to develop leadership, plan meetings, use funds, and find resources. It is directed toward parents who…

This interview with a senior associate of the National Committee for Citizens in Education touches on this organization's accomplishments (such as its work on student records) and on its goals (such as training parent organizations to conduct inquiries into local educational issues). (DS)

The article reviews the efforts (since 1976) of a group of parents and teachers in Agueda, Portugal, to obtain public education for severely handicapped children in integrated primary, elementary, and secondary school classroom settings. (DB)

The National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases Association is involved in education, research, and prevention of Tay-Sachs, an inherited metabolic disorder which destroys the central nervous system, and over 30 related disorders. The group features a parent peer group network and a support group for carrier couples. (CL)

A question and answer section discusses facts about child abuse. Suggestions are given to organize activities in the community and in the schools that can identify and prevent abuse. (MT)

A parent-to-parent support program was begun to provide early support for parents of handicapped children. New parents are carefully matched with helping parents, who have been trained in communication, resource finding, and referral making. (CL)

This document contains news and information about school improvement in the United States. This biweekly newsletter is designed expressly for parents and families. This issue highlights a November 13, 2004 meeting between federal, New York State, and New York City education officials and parent advocacy groups to discuss how to better inform…

The International Parents' Organization, a section of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf, has the purpose of providing assistance to parents of hearing handicapped children. (DB)