Table of Contents
List of Tables and Figures xi
Preface and Acknowledgments xv
Part 1 Understanding School, Family, and Community Partnerships
1 Introduction 3
Matching Rhetoric with Practice 3
The Need 4
The Gap 5
Evidence of Change 7
Policies Encourage Preparation on Partnerships 9
More Is Needed 10
The Goals 11
Achieving the Goals 12
Using This Volume 12
Setting a Course 16
Featured Topics for Discussion 18
Activities and Exercises 19
Summary 20
References 21
2 Theory and Overview 25
Reading 2.1 Toward a Theory of Family-School Connections: Teacher Practices and Parent Involvement Joyce L. Epstein 26
Reading 2.2 Moving Forward: Ideas for Research on School, Family, and Community Partnerships Joyce L. Epstein Steven B. Sheldon 42
Discussion and Activities 67
3 Research 91
Reading 3.1 Parent Involvement: A Survey of Teacher Practices Henry Jay Becker Joyce L. Epstein 95
Reading 3.2 Teachers' Reported Practices of Parent Involvement: Problems and Possibilities Joyce L. Epstein Henry Jay Becker 115
Reading 3.3 School Programs and Teacher Practices of Parent Involvement in Inner-City Elementary and Middle School Joyce L. Epstein Susan L. Dauber 129
Reading 3.4 Parents' Reactions to Teacher Practices of Parent Involvement Joyce L. Epstein 150
Reading 3.5 Single Parents and the Schools: Effects of Marital Status of Parent and Teacher Interactions Joyce L. Epstein 171
Reading 3.6 Parents' Attitudes and Practices of Involvement in Inner-City Elementary and Middle Schools Susan L. Dauber Joyce L. Epstein 200
Reading 3.7 Effects on Student Achievement of Teachers' Practices of Parent Involvement Joyce L. Epstein 216
Reading 3.8 Homework Practices, Achievements, and Behaviors of Elementary School Students Joyce L. Epstein 231
Reading 3.9 Student Reactions to Teachers' Practices of Parent Involvement Joyce L. Epstein 247
Discussion and Activities 257
Part 2 Applying Research on School, Family, and Community Partnerships
4 Policy Implications 299
Reading 4.1 Parent Involvement: State Education Agencies Should Lead the Way Joyce L. Epstein 304
Reading 4.2 Sample State and District Policies on School, Family, and Community Partnerships 312
Reading 4.3 Research Meets Policy and Practice: How Are School Districts Addressing NCLB Requirements for Parental Involvement" Joyce L. Epstein 331
Discussion and Activities 347
5 A Practical Framework for Developing Comprehensive Partnership Programs 387
Reading 5.1 School, Family, and Community Partnerships-Caring for the Children We Share Joyce L. Epstein 389
Discussion and Activities 415
6 Practical Applications: Linking Family and Community Involvement to Student Learning 493
Reading 6.1 More Than Minutes: Teachers' Roles in Designing Homework Joyce L. Epstein Frances L. Van Voorhis 496
Reading 6.2 Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork (TIPS): Interactive Homework in Math, Science, and Language Arts Joyce L. Epstein 521
Reading 6.3 Organizing Productive Volunteers in the Middle Grades Joyce L. Epstein 555
Discussion and Activities 562
7 Strategies for Action in Practice, Policy, and Research 573
Discussion and Activities 576
Index 617