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.
August FINE Newsletter: Family Involvement and Out-of-School Time
Volume 1, Issue 3, August 2009
Dear FINE Members,
Family involvement happens not only at home and at school, but across a variety of nonschool supports that help children to learn and grow—including early childhood programs, museums, libraries, after school and summer programs, and other community-based institutions. In this issue, we apply the new, broader definition of family engagement introduced in May's issue of the FINE Newsletter to the ways in which families and nonschool supports can work together to promote student achievement.
Two new resources from Harvard Family Research Project further reveal the importance of complementary learning connections between families and out-of-school time programs: An upcoming research report from HFRP focuses on family involvement in out-of-school time programs, while a teaching case explores the roles that community organizations, school staff, and family members play in one child's out-of-school time learning.
In addition, articles from the Nebraska State Parental Information and Resource Center and Citizen Schools in Texas offer first-hand glimpses into how two programs are building connections between families and nonschool supports. As always, we also share a comprehensive listing of new family involvement articles, news, and resources.
We invite your feedback on the topics we explore in this FINE Newsletter, and encourage you to pass on this issue to interested friends and colleagues.
Harvard Family Research Project Commentary
Family Involvement Across Learning Settings
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Families play important roles in supporting children’s learning not just in school but also in the many out-of-school contexts in which they learn. Harvard Family Research Project’s Helen Westmoreland talks about how families and nonschool learning settings, such as out-of-school time programs, museums, and libraries, can work together to promote student achievement. |
Tips & Tools From Harvard Family Research Project
Featured Teaching Case: After School for Cindy
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Harvard Family Research Project’s Teaching Cases support teacher training and professional development by highlighting challenges that schools, families, and communities may encounter in supporting children’s learning. In this month’s newsletter, we feature After School for Cindy, which explores the roles that family members, school staff, and community organizations play in one child’s out-of-school time and demonstrates the importance of family engagement across learning contexts. |
Voices From the Field
Complementary Learning Connections With Out-of-School Time Programs in Nebraska
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When families, schools, and out-of-school supports work together, children are more likely to succeed. Lisa St. Clair writes about how the Nebraska State Parental Information and Resource Center is using a complementary learning approach to link family support programs with schools, early childhood programs, and out-of-school time programs. |
Voices From the Field
A Day in the Life: Family Engagement in Citizen Schools
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Emily Schneider-Krzys, the Deputy Program Director of Citizen Schools in Texas, explains how the Citizen Schools program’s focus on creating networks, building intentional relationships, and establishing consistent communication helps to engage families and support student learning. |
Family Involvement News
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We at Harvard Family Research Project are committed to keeping you up-to-date on what's new in family involvement. View our list of links to current reports, articles, and resources in the family involvement field. |
Contact Us
If you experience a problem reading this newsletter or have questions and comments concerning our work, we would love to hear from you. Please send an email to fine@gse.harvard.edu.
Enjoy!
The FINE Team at Harvard Family Research Project