Working with Parents: Building the Spirit through Collaboration.

Offers suggestions for facilitating collaboration between families and schools, based on experience in Montessori education. Advocates gaining trust through regular informal social gatherings of parents and principal, pointing out that trust can help parents deal with anxiety over future academic success. Notes the efficacy of a parent education component for facilitating parent participation. Urges administrators to show sensitivity by speaking in encouraging terms and knowing what not to say. (Author/KB)