Transcript Epstein`s 6 Keys to Parent Involvement

Framework of
Six Types of
Parental
Involvement
Theoretical Model
OVERLAPPING SPHERES OF INFLUENCE OF FAMILY, SCHOOL, AND
COMMUNITY ON CHILDREN’S LEARNING
External Structure
Force C
Experience,
Philosophy,
Practices
of School
Force B
Experience,
Philosophy,
Practices
of Family
Force D
Experience,
Philosophy,
Practices
of Community
Force A
Time/Age/Grade Level
See Handbook chapters 4 and 5 for the Internal structure of interpersonal connections in this model.
THE KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL
SCHOOL-FAMILY-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
EPSTEIN’S SIX TYPES OF INVOLVEMENT
Type 1
Type 2
PARENTING: Assist families in understanding child and adolescent
development, and in setting home conditions that support children
as 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
Type 3 schedules to involve families as volunteers and audiences at school
or in other locations to support students and school programs.
Type 4
LEARNING AT HOME: Involve families with their children in
learning activities at home, including homework, other curriculumrelated activities, and individual course and program decisions.
Type 5
DECISION MAKING: Include families as participants in school
decisions, governance, and advocacy through PTA/PTO, school
councils, committees, action teams, and other parent organizations.
Type 6
COLLABORATING WITH COMMUNITY: Coordinate resources
and services for students, families, and the school with businesses,
agencies, and other groups, and provide services to the community.
Type 1
PARENTING
Basic Responsibilities of Families
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 schools
understand children and families
Type 2
COMMUNICATING
Basic Responsibilities of Schools
SCHOOL-TO-HOME
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
HOME-TO-SCHOOL
Two-way channels of communication for questions,
suggestions, and interactions
Type 2
COMMUNICATING
Basic Responsibilities of Schools
SCHOOL-TO-HOME
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
HOME-TO-SCHOOL
Two-way channels of communication for questions,
suggestions, and interactions
Type 4
LEARNING AT HOME
Involvement in Academic Activities
INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES ON…
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 5
DECISION MAKING
Participation and Leadership
School Council or School Improvement Team
Action Team for Partnerships
PTA/PTO membership, participation,
leadership, representation
Title I advisory and other school or district
committees
Independent advisory and advocacy groups
Type 6
COLLABORATING WITH THE COMMUNITY
Community contributes to schools, students, and
families
• 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 your
school (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 EXAMPLES
for a One-Year Action Plan for Partnerships
to IMPROVE READING ACHIEVEMENT
TYPE 1
Workshops for parents on various ways to read aloud with
young children
TYPE 2
Parent-teacher-student conferences on reading goals and
reading 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
TYPE 5
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 6
Donations from business partners of books for classrooms, for the
school library, and for children to take home
…AND MANY OTHER IDEAS FOR EACH TYPE OF INVOLVEMENT
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EXAMPLES
for a One-Year Action Plan for Partnerships
to IMPROVE MATH SKILLS
TYPE 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
TYPE 5
PTA/PTO-sponsored Family Math Night for fun and learning
TYPE 6
After-school programs funded by business and community partners
to provide students with extra help and enrichment activities in math
…AND MANY OTHER IDEAS FOR EACH TYPE OF INVOLVEMENT
MIDDLE SCHOOL EXAMPLES
for a One-Year Action Plan for Partnerships
to 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
TYPE 5
PTA/PTO communications, translated as needed, for all families on
requirements for student attendance and on-time arrival, and steps
to take when students return to school after illness
TYPE 6
Agreement with local businesses to post signs that students are
welcome only during nonschool hours
…AND MANY OTHER IDEAS FOR EACH TYPE OF INVOLVEMENT
HIGH SCHOOL EXAMPLES
for a One-Year Action Plan for Partnerships
to 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 to
outline strategies for reaching these goals
TYPE 5
A postsecondary planning committee of parents, teachers, and
students to implement a series of activities on college awareness
and career options from 9th to 12th grade
TYPE 6
“College and Careers” club linking students and families with
alumni from the school to increase knowledge and actions on
postsecondary paths and opportunities
…AND MANY OTHER IDEAS FOR EACH TYPE OF INVOLVEMENT
MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL EXAMPLES
for a One-Year Action Plan
to 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
TYPE 5
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 6
Periodic community forums for educators, students, parents, and
citizens to discuss school improvement topics, family and community
support for education, and other education issues
…AND MANY OTHER IDEAS FOR EACH TYPE OF INVOLVEMENT
ACTIVITY
CHALLENGE-GO-ROUND
Write your name at the top of the activity .
1. List ONE important challenge that your school
(or a school you know well) must solve to
involve 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.