ERIC Number: ED315209
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1989-Mar
Pages: 17
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Implementing Comprehensive Parent Services in Small Rural School Districts.
Davis, Patricia C.
In small rural school districts there are significant socioeconomic, cultural, and distance barriers to parent involvement in the education of exceptional children. In Florida, the history of parent involvement in exceptional student education parallels that of organized parent activism generally; rural, isolated, and minority group parents have had little involvement in either movement. Only a few models exist for parent and community participation in exceptional child education. Florida's three statewide programs are Parent to Parent of Florida, a peer support model; Parent Education Network, a parent education model; and Human Assistance Network Direction Services, an information and case management model. The Parent/Professional Partnership Model is used by the Parent Services Project in eight small rural school districts in northern Florida. The majority of families in these districts are minorities, are of low socioeconomic status, or are culturally divergent. This model focuses on mutual respect, reciprocal training, and common goals, and aims to develop a comprehensive plan covering educator and other professional training, parent education and training, parent participation, support services, sharing of information, networking, and advocacy. Detailed strategies for success with rural families in each of these areas are discussed, along with a practical outline for program development and implementation. This paper contains 18 references. (SV)
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Florida
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A