New Guide: Family and Community Engagement in education

Posted by on February 6, 2004

[posted from Public Education Network newsblast]

CREATING PARTNERSHIPS, BRIDGING WORLDS: FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

For many students, particularly students from low-income families and students of color, a significant disconnect exists between the worlds of school, family, and community. A new guide helps schools and teachers bring these diverse worlds together and recognize the assets and strengths inherent in each. Such efforts help schools to be more successful in supporting and engaging students, resulting in higher student achievement. The guide provides resources, models, and tools to help schools create a framework for family and community engagement. The framework, based in part on the work of Dr. Joyce Epstein at the National Network of Partnership Schools, Johns Hopkins University, consists of: Parenting; Communicating; Volunteering; Supporting Student Learning at Home; Inclusive Decision Making; and Collaborating with the Community. Turning Points is a comprehensive school reform model designed to strengthen the academic core of middle schools and to establish challenging, caring, and equitable learning environments that meet the needs of young adolescents.

http://www.turningpts.org/guides.htm