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This brochure discusses parents' involvement in their children's education. It is maintained that parent involvement in education is one of the most promising movements to have come out of the school reforms of the 1980s. Recent history of parent involvement in American schools; several American educators' ideas about parent involvement; and benefits of parent involvement to parents, teachers and schools are briefly discussed. A section on research discusses the effect of parent support on student motivation and compares parent involvement in Japan to that in the U.S. Two challenges to cooperation between school and family are discussed: (1) teacher resistance; and (2) changes in family structure that make it difficult for parents to participate. Ways in which teachers can encourage parents to become involved in their children's education are detailed. Epstein's (1990) methods for parent involvement in their children's education; Sigel's concerns about Epstein's methods; and principles for school programs that encourage parent involvement are considered. Four parent involvement programs are discussed. A list of 11 references is included. (BC)

This report discusses the problem of inadequate assistance for work-bound youth. The employment outlook for the typical work-bound high school graduate is gloomy due to a shrinking labor force and poorly prepared workers. Employer complaints of poorly trained youth, weaknesses of secondary vocational education programs, the increasing need for improved continuing education, and concerns of legislators are addressed. Suggesting that the solution must be multifaceted, the report considers an approach that includes developing and making available appropriate tools to determine abilities of the U.S. work force, updating curriculum and methods in the public education system to develop these skills, integrating student part-time work into the student's studies, and providing programs and support services that train for the work force or smooth the transition into a career-track job. The report concludes that new ways of looking at the old problems should be created and that increased funding as well as a more positive attitude concerning the career goals of work-bound students are needed. Four vignettes describe the Job Training Partnership Act, Worklink, Jobs for America's Graduates, and Educational Testing Service research on workplace literacy training. Eleven references are listed. (YLB)