The Harvard Family Research Project separated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education to become the Global Family Research Project as of January 1, 2017. It is no longer affiliated with Harvard University.
Volume VIII, Number 1, Spring 2002
Issue Topic: Family Support
Evaluations to Watch
Boston Parent Organizing Network (BPON)
The Boston Parent Organizing Network (BPON) mobilizes parents, local organizations, and communities to improve the quality of education in the Boston Public Schools. BPON provides a central connection for all of these groups; they believe that by working together, they can have a greater impact on the improvement of the quality of education in the Boston Public Schools than they can as individual organizations. The Intercultural Center for Research in Education (INCRE) is conducting an evaluation of BPON. The formative phase of the evaluation focused on three strategies: 1) minimizing the data collection burden on the organizations; 2) tailoring the data collection forms to help each grantee clarify objectives and better document parent outreach, organizing, training, and information dissemination activities; and 3) helping the organizations to use data to reflect on their progress and inform planning decisions for continued work with BPON. An outcome evaluation is underway that will address the "value-added"of the coalition structure to organize parents in school reform.
For more information, contact:
Dr. John P. Zuman
Intercultural Center for Research in Education (INCRE)
366 Massachusetts Avenue
Arlington, MA 02474
781-643-2142