Blog

Due to copyright law, several readings cannot be hosted on this site. However, we encourage you to ask for assistance locating materials from your library media specialist. Many library services are freely available to educators.

They’re Never Too Old: Family Involvement in Middle and High School

This research brief synthesizes research on how family involvement contributes to middle and high school students’ learning and development. It examines the processes of parenting, home-school relationships, and responsibility for learning outcomes which are critical for academic and social development.

Caspe, M., Kennedy, S., Krieder, H. & Weiss, H. (2007). Family involvement in middle and high school children’s education. Harvard Family Research Project. Family Involvement Makes A Difference Brief No. 3. Retrieved from http://www.hfrp.org/.

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Starting Early: Family Involvement in Early Ed

This research brief summarizes research on how family involvement contributes to young children’s learning and development.

Caspe, M., Lopez, E., & Weiss, H. (2006). Family involvement in early childhood education . Harvard Family Research Project. Family Involvement Makes A Difference Brief No. 1. Retrieved from http://www.hfrp.org/.

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Middle Years: Family Involvement in Elementary Ed

This research brief summarizes research on how family involvement contributes to elementary school students’ learning and development.

Caspe, M., Lopez, E., & Wolos, C. (2006). Family involvement in elementary school children’s education. Harvard Family Research Project. Family Involvement Makes A Difference Brief No. 2. Retrieved from http://www.hfrp.org/.

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Latino Family Involvement in Schools

This study examines Latino parents’ perceptions of their participation in the education of their children, schools’ and teachers’ expectations of involvement, initiatives addressing parental involvement and Latino students’ perceptions of parents’ involvement in their education. The findings reveal that schools lack clear organizational goals and objectives on how to involve their Latino parents. After reading this, consider how your own school’s goals, policies, and programs might invite or ostricize different groups of families.

Zarate, M. E. (2007) Understanding Latino Parental Involvement in Education: Perceptions, Expectations, and Recommendations. Los Angeles, CA. Tomas Rivera Policy Institute. Available on line at http://eric.ed.gov/

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Get the MOST Recent Research Here!

Check out the Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships for the most recent research on family engagement in schools. This Center is directed by Joyce Epstein, one of our MentorModules.com “experts”.

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Help for Latino Parents

If you have Latino families and children at your school, you might want to show them this website. It not only has ideas for teachers, but it also has information and resources for parents about how to help children as they develop bilingual and biliterate abilities. You might recognize this one because it was also referenced in the Diverse Learners lesson.

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Creating School Climate that Invites Involvement

Many of the issues related to family and community involvement require a school-wide or district-wide effort. This brief review highlights how schools and districts can partner with their families and communities to ensure that this rich resource is tapped. Enjoy tips from our resident expert, Joyce Epstein!

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Reading Help for Latino Kids

Sponsored by Scholastic Books, Lee y Serás is a literacy initiative to help families foster literacy in the home. This interactive website is great for families with little kids. Beautiful site! Great graphics!

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Parent Involvement Fact Sheet

This short, 4-page fact sheet, created by the Michigan Department of Education, summarizes research about the need for and benefits of parent/family involvement.

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It Takes a Village: Serving Culturally Diverse Students and Their Communities

This is a must-have, research-based guide for all schools serving culturally diverse elementary and middle grade students and their communities. It provides effective strategies for raising awareness of the strengths of all cultures and for engaging all families in their children’s education.

Epstein, J., Galindo, C., Greenfeld, M., Hutchins, D., & Sanders, M. (2012). Multicultural Partnerships: Involving all Families. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.

Note: Purchase required.

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School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action

This invaluable resource guides school leaders and district and state facilitators to plan, implement, and improve school-family-community partnership programs. It includes workshop PowerPoint and activities in English and Spanish.

Epstein, J., Galindo, C., Greenfeld, M., Hutchins, D., Jansorn, N., Martin, C., Salinas, K., Sanders, M., Sheldon, S., Simon, B., Thomas, B., Van Voorhis, F. & Williams, K. (2009). School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action. (3rd Edition). Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin Press.

Note: Purchase required.

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