Resources for Families
Resources for Educators
Websites
Webinars
When it comes to a breakfast of ham and eggs, the chicken is involved but the pig is committed
This humorous quote captures the differences between parent involvement (the chicken) and family engagement (the pig). It can also serve to describe the struggles facing schools working to build strong family partnerships.
When you "involve" parents, ideas and suggestions come primarily from the school. The school typically identifies priority areas and recruits parents to assist, based on these priority areas. Parents who are involved serve the school's agenda by- volunteering, parenting in positive ways and supporting student learning at home.
When schools "engage" parents and families, ideas come primarily from the conversations between families and communities based on their needs and priorities that are reflected in the data. The parent is considered a leader who is a critical player in identifying a shared vision and goal. When we engage families, we have the potential to create a shared community, where families and educators work as partners to support and increase student learning.
- Clayton Early Learning Blog, 6-24-11
Resources for Families
Dropout Prevention
What families need to know to keep their children on the path to graduation
Resources for Educators
Beyond the Bakesale (book)
This book reveals how to build strong collaborative relationships and offers practical advice for improving interactions between parents and teachers.
Fortress to Partnerships: What Type of School Do You Have
A school-family relationship checklist
How to Prepare a Checklist for a Meeting with Parents and Guardians
Preparedness checklist for teachers and counselors
Kansas Family and Community Involvement Guide to Student Achievement
A guide for schools to measure their adoption of the National PTA Standards
Making Family and Community Connections
A free self-paced online workshop for teachers
National Dropout Prevention Center Newsletter
Newsletter articles focusing on family engagement
Parent Engagement Toolkit
Toolkit provides resources to effectively reach out to parents, solicit their perspectives and engage them in the development of strategies that will lead to educational success for their children
Parent Teacher Education Connection
Six online modules for preparing teachers to work with families, based on the National PTA Standards
Websites
Families Together, Inc.
Harvard Family Research Project
Kansas Parent Information Resource Center En Español
National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education
National Parents Teachers Association (PTA)
Parent Further
Webinars
Achieving Excellence and Innovation in Family, School and Community Engagement
A 2011 7-part webinar series hosted by the US Department of Education, United Way Worldwide, National PTA, SEDL and Harvard Family Research Project
Beyond the Bake Sale: Family-School Partnerships
A PBS and NPR Forum Network Webinar
Family Involvement Makes a Difference
A 2010 National Dropout Prevention Center Webcast
Parent Involvement in Schools
A 2006 Children, Youth and Families Education and Research Network Webinar
Practical Strategies for Family Involvement in Correctional Education
A 2009 NDTAC Webinar