Developing Effective Partnerships

Epstein’s Framework of Six Types of Involvement

Why are partnerships important?

• The more families support their children’s learning and educational progress, the more their children tend to do well in school and continue their education.

• Programs and interventions that engage families in supporting their children’s learning at home are linked to higher student achievement. (Parents’ level of engagement affects the degree of influence).

• Teacher outreach to parents is positively related to parent involvement and student achievement.

(Henderson & Mapp, 2002)

What are school, family, and community partnerships?

School, Family, and Community Partnerships - A philosophy, culture, and process that emphasizes the overlapping influence that stakeholders in each context have on the education and well-being of children and adults.

Epstein’s Framework of 6 Types of Involvement

Comprehensive partnership programs have activities that support the following types of involvement:

Type 1 – ParentingType 2 – CommunicatingType 3 – VolunteeringType 4 – Learning at HomeType 5 – Decision MakingType 6 – Collaborating with the Community

Type 1 - Parenting

• Activities to assist families in:

Providing housing, health, nutrition, clothing and safety

Developing parenting skills for all age levels

Sharing information and activities to help schools understand children and families

Type 2 - Communicating

• Information to help families:

Understand educational programs and children’s progress

Understand student assessments

• Opportunities for families to:

Express concerns, insights and expectations

Type 3 - Volunteering

• Involvement at and for the school or organization:

To assist administrators, teachers, students, or parents as mentors, monitors, lecturers, chaperones, tutors, or in other ways

To attend assemblies, performances, sports events, ceremonies, and other events

Type 4 – Learning at Home

• Involvement in academic activities at home to:

Help with and monitor homework

Understand skills required to pass/master each subject

Guide curriculum-related decisions

Support the development of other skills and talents

Type 5 – Decision Making

• Family participation in school:

Advisory groups

Planning committees

Program-related decisions

Type 6 – Collaborating with the Community

• Connections with the community for needed services, resources, and support

• Connections that contribute to the community

Examples of Partnership Activities

The National Network of Partnership Schools

www. partnershipschools.orgor

http://www.csos.jhu.edu/p2000/index.htm

Tips for Building Comprehensive Family Engagement Programs

Identify and train a team of administrators, parents, teachers, and other school personnel and community partners to plan, lead the implementation of, and evaluate school wide partnership activities.

Create a welcoming school environment. (See http://education.ohio.gov Search: Family Friendly Partnership)

Provide professional development on family engagement for faculty and staff. (See http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc)

Support families’ sense of efficacy for involvement by providing engagement opportunities that span Epstein’s six types.

Resources

• Epstein et al. (2009). School, Family, and Community Partnerships, Your Handbook for Action, Third Edition. Corwin Press.

• Henderson, A. & Mapp, K. (2002). A new wave of evidence: The impact of school, family, and community connections on student achievement. Austin, TX: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory.

• National Network of Partnership Schools at: www.partnershipschools.org or http://www.csos.jhu.edu/p2000/index.htm

• Reynolds, A. & Clements, M. (2005). Parental Involvement and Children’s School Success. In E. Patrikakou, R. Weissberg, S. Redding, & H. Walberg (pp. 109-127), School-Family Partnerships for Children’s Success. NY, NY: Teachers College Press.