This study examined the views of kindergarten, first-, and second-grade teachers regarding families' competence to contribute knowledge to their child's educational process. In the first part of the study, 33 teachers from a variety of schools participated in small-group nominal group technique discussions. Their beliefs then contributed to the…

The New South Wales (Australia) Department of Education and Training has been employing distance education for remote students since the 1950s, using high-frequency radio supplemented by printed materials and audiotapes. In these settings, a four-way learning partnership evolved involving the teacher, student, learning materials, and home…

New research shows that the involvement of both mothers and fathers is important to children's education. Recognizing that promoting fathers' involvement depends greatly on the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of the teachers, administrators, child care providers, and social support staff, this report is designed to inform, promote, and celebrate…

Noting that many factors can influence the extent to which families are engaged in their children's education, this study examined the influence of family and school barriers as potential barriers to parent involvement. The sample was taken from a local site of the National Head Start/Public School Transition Demonstration Project. Participants…

Even after children enter school, parents continue to be the most important adult influence on their lives. This booklet, directed to parents, contains more than 40 ways that parents can work with their child's school to support their child's learning. The suggestions are organized in several sections: (1) "Parent Involvement: The 3 V's,"…

Educators can be among the first to identify neglected or potentially neglected children if they are aware of characteristics/behaviors of these children, such as chronic hunger, delayed growth, isolation from social contact, inappropriately directed attachment behaviors, low self-concept, chronic tardiness, resignation, and indifference to…

Data from 346 urban, Black elementary school students, their parents, and their teachers were analyzed for: (1) prediction of achievement from quality of instruction/home concern and support (HCS); (2) mutual impact of school and home on achievement; and (3) relationship between school membership and the level of HCS. (RL)

An experiment which assessed the effects of parental involvement in the teaching of reading showed highly significant gains by children (aged 6 to 9) who received extra practice at home in comparison with control groups but no comparable improvement by children who received extra help at school. (Author/MJL)

Two issues were studied: students' perceptions of various situational influences of the school environment with regard to locus of control, and the relationship of situational influences to academic achievement. Situational influences involving parents, parental interaction, or home environment were most related to achievement. (MH)

Longitudinal study of 54 rural Swazi elementary students found that a child's progression to grade 5 without grade repetition was predicted by 8 factors together: gender, preschool school-preparedness scores, father presence or absence, time and help available for homework, parent reading, child being read to at home, and regular breakfast.…

The nonmetropolitan dropout rate fell sharply, 1975-93, closing the nonmetro-metro gap. National longitudinal data on dropout risk factors related to family, community, and local labor market reveal that low parental education and income are the greatest barriers to reducing rural dropouts. High school students had unrealistic educational and…

Describes On Board Early, a Baltimore program designed to increase family-school experiences that support children's success. Discusses such program features as specialized family involvement staff, a parents-as-teachers program, a family-centered approach to supporting the transition to school, and planning for long-term family involvement.…

Phenomenological study focused on a Spanish-speaking immigrant mother's interactions with primarily English-speaking educators in schools attended by her son. Interactions around four disciplinary actions reveal language and culture as barriers to the mother acting on her son's behalf. She didn't understand school practices and culture and felt…

Discusses how teachers can involve parents in reading development by convincing them that they are at the center of their children's educational world. (MG)

Examines differences in home environments of higher and lower achieving Puerto Rican fifth- and sixth-graders in urban Pennsylvania. Investigates parents' aspirations, concern for use of language, parental reinforcement, knowledge of child's educational progress, and value orientations. Links home environment to achievement. Discusses implications…