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This article describes how parents and teachers make invaluable partners in supporting state reform efforts.

A principal describes a successful parent orientation program at Fairfield High School, CT.a success and the response of the parents was 100% positive. The program was designed to manage the image of high schools among parents who have apprehensions about sending children to high schools. Invitations were mailed to parents, and volunteer teachers were trained about the program. The success of the program lies in the dedicated secretaries and positive teachers who volunteered. Further plans include inviting grandparents in 1997.

This exploratory study used focus group methods to identify strategies that promote parent involvement with young children in an alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) prevention program. The Health Belief Model (HBM) guided the interview process and data analysis. Five focus groups were conducted with low-income parents and school personnel from two urban elementary schools in Lexington, Kentucky. Cues to Action was the most frequent HBM construct expressed by both parents and school personnel in regard to ATOD prevention programs and general school activities. Enthusiasm for school activities expressed by children to their parents was identified as the core cue to parent involvement. Transportation, child care, and incentives were the basic requirements for parent involvement. Positive attitudes of school personnel, a combination of communication strategies, and multiple channels for involvement were major cues to parent involvement. Recommendations for involving parents in ATOD prevention and general school activities are suggested. (J Sch Health. 1996;66(5): 165-170), Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use among children continues to be a major health concern. According to the 1994 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse,[1] 11 million children younger [...]

In this article, the author draws on the Latino National Political Survey (LNPS) to contrast the political behaviors of naturalized and native-born Latino U.S. citizens. The author examines three types of political behavior - organizational participation, ethnic organizational participation, and electoral participation - and one form of community activity that may serve as a precursor of political activity - school-focused parental involvement. The author finds that the naturalized are less likely than similarly situated native-born Latinos to participate in electoral politics and organizational activity. The author also finds that the weight of the negative influence of naturalization is less than the weight of the positive influence on participation of increasing levels of education and of age. The consequence of these findings is that strategies for Latino political empowerment based on naturalization will have to recognize that naturalization is just the first step in making politically active citizens.

Inner-city schools are often plagued by a host of social ills such as drug abuse and violence. Greater communication between school authorities and parents can be initiated to boost student achievement, school discipline and effectiveness. Successful parental involvement includes empowerment, school visitation and volunteer services, two-way communication, learning activities and socialization at home.

Two parallel studies examined schools' and families' perceptions of the needs of children with chronic illnesses. Samples of 80 California school districts and 72 families were interviewed regarding types of chronic illnesses and school services, perceptions of and barriers to services, strategies for overcoming barriers, and fears and concerns of children with chronic illnesses. Most students were served in regular classes or at home. The most common barriers named by districts were funding and lack of public and staff awareness. Barriers named by families included teachers' misunderstanding of the child's needs and misinformation about the illness. Families focused on social-emotional issues and the impact of illness on their child's life; distric emphasized school absences and falling behind in schoolwork., * Between the mid-1960s and mid-1980s, the number of children with chronic illnesses doubled (Newacheck, Budetti, & McManus, 1984). In 1985, Hobbs, Perrin, and Ireys estimated that 7.5 million children [...]

Chicago has restructured its school system to give parents and the community a stronger say in the governance of schools. It has created 597 new 'local school councils,' in which parents and community members hold eight out of 11 seats. Parents' duties include assessing the principal's performance, hiring staff, advising and approving school policies, plans and annual financial expenditures. This system grants increased authority to principals and the community, and will cater to the diverse requirements of growing minority populations.