framework of six types of parental involvement. theoretical model overlapping spheres of influence...
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Theoretical ModelOVERLAPPING SPHERES OF INFLUENCE OF FAMILY, SCHOOL, AND
COMMUNITY ON CHILDREN’S LEARNINGExternal Structure
Force BExperience,Philosophy,Practices of Family
Force CExperience,Philosophy,Practices of School
Force DExperience,Philosophy,Practices of Community
Force ATime/Age/Grade Level
See Handbook chapters 4 and 5 for the Internal structure of interpersonal connections in this model.
THE KEYS TO SUCCESSFULSCHOOL-FAMILY-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
EPSTEIN’S SIX TYPES OF INVOLVEMENTPARENTING: Assist families in understanding child and adolescentdevelopment, and in setting home conditions that support childrenas students at each age and grade level. Assist schools in understanding families.
COMMUNICATING: Communicate with families about school programs and student progress through effective school-to-home and home-to-school communications.
VOLUNTEERING: Improve recruitment, training, work, and schedules to involve families as volunteers and audiences at school or in other locations to support students and school programs.
LEARNING AT HOME: Involve families with their children in learning activities at home, including homework, other curriculum-related activities, and individual course and program decisions.
DECISION MAKING: Include families as participants in school decisions, governance, and advocacy through PTA/PTO, school councils, committees, action teams, and other parent organizations.
COLLABORATING WITH COMMUNITY: Coordinate resourcesand services for students, families, and the school with businesses, agencies, and other groups, and provide services to the community.
Type 1
Type 2
Type 6
Type 5
Type 4
Type 3
Housing, health, nutrition, clothing, safety
Understand child and adolescent development and parenting skills for all age levels
Home conditions that support children as students at all grade levels
Information and activities to help schoolsunderstand children and families
Type 1
PARENTING
Basic Responsibilities of Families
Memos, notices, report cards, conferences, newsletters, phone calls, computerized messages, e-mails, Web sites
Information to help families•Understand school programs and children’s progress•Understand state tests, report cards, and other assessments•Choose or change schools•Choose or change courses, placements, programs, and activities
Two-way channels of communication for questions, suggestions, and interactions
SCHOOL-TO-HOME
HOME-TO-SCHOOL
Type 2
COMMUNICATING
Basic Responsibilities of Schools
Memos, notices, report cards, conferences, newsletters, phone calls, computerized messages, e-mails, Web sites
Information to help families•Understand school programs and children’s progress•Understand state tests, report cards, and other assessments•Choose or change schools•Choose or change courses, placements, programs, and activities
Two-way channels of communication for questions, suggestions, and interactions
SCHOOL-TO-HOME
HOME-TO-SCHOOL
Type 2
COMMUNICATING
Basic Responsibilities of Schools
How to help at home with homework
Required skills to pass each subject
Curriculum-related decisions by and for the student
Development of students’ other skills and talents
Type 4
LEARNING AT HOME
Involvement in Academic Activities
INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES ON…
School Council or School Improvement Team
Title I advisory and other school or district committees
Type 5
DECISION MAKING
Participation and Leadership
Independent advisory and advocacy groups
Action Team for Partnerships
PTA/PTO membership, participation, leadership, representation
Community contributes to schools, students, and families
Type 6
COLLABORATING WITH THE COMMUNITY
• Business partners• Cultural and recreational groups• Health services• Senior citizen organizations• Faith-based organizations• Government and military agencies• Other groups, agencies, and organizations
Schools, students, and families to contribute to the community
• Service learning and other special projects
An Inventory of Present Practices of
School, Family, and Community Partnerships
Your TABLE will be assigned ONE TYPE of involvement.
1. LOOK. With a partner, look down the list of activities for the TYPE of involvement that you were assigned.
2. CHECK. Check the activities conducted in yourschool (or schools you supervise or assist) and the grade levels that conduct each activity.
3. REFLECT: What comes to mind as you think about the activities for that TYPE of involvement?
4. CONTINUE. If you finish before time is up, select another TYPE of involvement to review.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EXAMPLESfor a One-Year Action Plan for Partnershipsto IMPROVE READING ACHIEVEMENTTYPE 1 Workshops for parents on various ways to read aloud with
young children
TYPE 2 Parent-teacher-student conferences on reading goals andreading progress
TYPE 3 Reading-partner volunteers, guest readers of favorite stories, and other organized, ongoing read-with-me activities
TYPE 4 Family Reading Night to demonstrate reading strategies for parents and grade-specific activities to conduct with students at home
PTA/PTO support for a family room or parent center to provide information on children’s reading, and to conduct book swaps, make book bags for read-at-home programs, and sponsor other reading activities
TYPE 5
Donations from business partners of books for classrooms, for the school library, and for children to take home
TYPE 6
…AND MANY OTHER IDEAS FOR EACH TYPE OF INVOLVEMENT
READING GOAL
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EXAMPLESfor a One-Year Action Plan for Partnershipsto IMPROVE MATH SKILLSTYPE 1 Workshops for parents to explain new math standards and tests,
and to demonstrate and discuss how math skills are taught to students
TYPE 2 Articles for parents in school or class newsletters or posted on the school Web site by students and math teachers on interesting math topics and skills
TYPE 3 Volunteer math tutors to assist students who need one-on-one tutoring and extra help with specific math skills
TYPE 4 Weekly interactive homework assignments for students to demonstrate mastery of a math skill for family partners and to discuss how each skill is used in everyday situations
PTA/PTO-sponsored Family Math Night for fun and learningTYPE 5
After-school programs funded by business and community partnersto provide students with extra help and enrichment activities in math
TYPE 6
…AND MANY OTHER IDEAS FOR EACH TYPE OF INVOLVEMENT
MATH GOAL
MIDDLE SCHOOL EXAMPLESfor a One-Year Action Plan for Partnershipsto IMPROVE ATTENDANCE
TYPE 1 “Attendance Summit” for parents on the importance of student attendance. Speakers may include school administrators, counselors, legal experts, teachers, health service providers, students, and family members
TYPE 2 Recognition postcards for good or improved attendance
TYPE 3 Family volunteers as attendance monitors
TYPE 4 Interactive homework for students and family partners to create a poster about why good attendance is important
PTA/PTO communications, translated as needed, for all families on requirements for student attendance and on-time arrival, and stepsto take when students return to school after illness
TYPE 5
Agreement with local businesses to post signs that students are welcome only during nonschool hours
TYPE 6
…AND MANY OTHER IDEAS FOR EACH TYPE OF INVOLVEMENT
ATTENDANCE
GOAL
HIGH SCHOOL EXAMPLESfor a One-Year Action Plan for Partnershipsto IMPROVE POSTSECONDARY PLANNING
TYPE 1 Workshops for parents and students on course credits and requirements for high school graduation, college financial aid, college entry tests, and career planning
TYPE 2 Series of videos for families to learn about high school graduation requirements and postsecondary planning
TYPE 3 Field trips for students and parents to local colleges and universities
TYPE 4 Interactive homework that requires students to discuss their academic goals and career plans with a family partner and tooutline strategies for reaching these goals
A postsecondary planning committee of parents, teachers, and students to implement a series of activities on college awarenessand career options from 9th to 12th grade
TYPE 5
“College and Careers” club linking students and families with alumni from the school to increase knowledge and actions on postsecondary paths and opportunities
TYPE 6
…AND MANY OTHER IDEAS FOR EACH TYPE OF INVOLVEMENT
COLLEGE & CAREER GOAL
MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL EXAMPLESfor a One-Year Action Planto CREATE A CLIMATE OF PARTNERSHIPS
TYPE 1 Parent support groups to discuss parenting approaches and school issues with other families and with school counselors
TYPE 2 “Good news” postcards, phone calls, and other two-way communications (e.g., e-mail, voice mail, Web sites) to connect teachers and families about student progress and success
TYPE 3 Volunteers for safe schools to greet, assist, or deter visitors
TYPE 4 Quarterly interactive homework assignments for students to review report card grades with family partners and to discuss academic and behavior goals for the next grading period
PTA/PTO-sponsored “Showcase the School Day” with booths and displays on school programs, student clubs, academic departments, the parent association, and partnership activities
TYPE 5
Periodic community forums for educators, students, parents, and citizens to discuss school improvement topics, family and community support for education, and other education issues
TYPE 6
…AND MANY OTHER IDEAS FOR EACH TYPE OF INVOLVEMENT
PARTNERSHIP GOAL
ACTIVITY CHALLENGE-GO-ROUND
1. List ONE important challenge that your school (or a school you know well) must solve toinvolve all families.
2. At the signal, pass the page to the next person to suggest one possible solution to the challenge. (Wait for 3 signals to get 3 suggestions.)
3. Return the page to the “Starter.” Put a * next to one solution that you think might work well.
Be ready to discuss.
Write your name at the top of the activity .