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.

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Dear FINE Member,

Here are this month's FINE member updates. Please feel free to forward this information to friends and other education colleagues.

New on the FINE Website

• Bibliography of Family Involvement Research Published in 2005

  We've updated our bibliography of research covering family involvement in education to include literature from 2005. The FINE bibliographies include journal articles, dissertations and theses, books and book chapters, reports, research briefs, and papers.

New from Harvard Family Research Project

• OST Guide to Family Involvement: Focus on Families! How to Build and Support Family-Centered Practices in After School

  We're pleased to announce a new, comprehensive guide to engaging families in out-of-school time. This guide for after school providers was produced through a partnership between HFRP, United Way of Massachusetts Bay, and BOSTnet. Inside, you'll find a research review of the benefits and challenges of engaging families after school, strategies for engaging families, program examples, an evaluation tool, and additional resources. This easy-to-read guide is a critical resource for any after school provider looking to create or expand a family engagement program.

• Harnessing Technology in Out-of-School Time Settings

  This Out-of-School Time Evaluation Snapshot examines how OST programs and initiatives are utilizing technology, how these programs and initiatives are being evaluated, and what implementation and outcomes lessons can be learned from this set of evaluations. The Snapshot also illuminates some promising strategies for incorporating technology into OST programs.

• New Issue of The Evaluation Exchange on Professional Development

  The new issue of The Evaluation Exchange focuses on evaluating professional development across a range of fields, including after school and youth development, education, child care, and child welfare. The issue features innovative methods in professional development, conceptual frameworks and practical tools for evaluating professional development, links between professional development and program quality, and the role of organizational contexts in supporting professional development and positive outcomes.

Books

• Black Hands in the Biscuits Not in the Classrooms: Unveiling Hope in a Struggle for Brown's Promise

  This recent book by Sherick A. Hughes, a professor of education at the University of Toledo, examines the pedagogy of Black families in the South and their experiences with the education system after desegregation. You can purchase a copy by clicking on the link above.

• Bridging Cultures in Early Care and Education: A Training Module

  Marlene Zepeda, Janet Gonzalez-Mena, Carrie Rothstein-Fisch, and Elise Trumbull introduce a framework for understanding the role of culture in early childhood education and discuss implications for professionals working with young children and families. The book contains workshop materials for pre- and in-service educators. You can find an excerpt in the most recent R&D Alert from WestEd. You can purchase a copy of the book from the publisher by clicking on the link above.

Reports and Articles

• Dear Public: Can We Talk?

  Jean Johnson and Will Friedman of Public Agenda discuss the importance of communication between parents, schools, and communities when implementing school reform. The authors advocate well-planned public engagement that fosters dialogue and offers choices.

• Homeschooling in the United States: 2003

  This February 2006 report from the National Center for Education Statistics uses data from the 2003 Parent and Family Involvement Survey to estimate that over one million students were homeschooled in that year, a 29 percent increase from 1999. The report examines parents' reasons for homeschooling their children and the characteristics of these families.

• Reaching All Children? Understanding Early Care and Education Participation Among Immigrant Families

  This report by Hannah Matthews and Danielle Ewen of the Center for Law and Social Policy summarizes research on early education in immigrant families, including rates of Head Start participation, and presents research-based policy recommendations.

• Reality Check 2006: Are Parents and Students Ready for More Math and Science?

  Despite policy makers' emphasis on improved math and science education, the latest Reality Check survey from Education Insights at Public Agenda finds that parents and students consider current math and science programs sufficient. The survey also finds no gender difference in attitudes toward math and science and that minority students are more likely to be concerned about math and science education.

• Schools, Families, and Social and Emotional Learning: Ideas and Tools for Working with Parents and Families

  The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, together with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Educational Laboratory for Student Success, published this packet to encourage parent–teacher partnerships by disseminating research, best practices, and handouts for parents. The parent handouts are also available in Spanish.

Policy

• Parent Involvement in Education

  This document from the Education Commission of the States summarizes recent parent involvement legislation in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Upcoming Events

• National Conference on Family Literacy

  The 15th annual conference of the National Center for Family Literacy focuses on “Creating a Literate Nation” and will take place in Louisville, Kentucky, March 19–21, 2006. Session topics include parent involvement at home and in school, parent advocacy, and parent leadership.

• HFRP Symposium at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting

  HFRP has organized a symposium session at AERA's 2006 Annual Meeting in San Francisco. The symposium, “New Research on Family Involvement and Academic Achievement,” will take place on Monday, April 10, 10:35 am–12:05 pm in Section A3 of Golden Gate Hall at the Marriott Hotel. HFRP director Heather Weiss will chair the session, and Kathleen Hoover-Dempsey will serve as a discussant. You can find general information about the conference at the link above.

Contact Us

Have a problem with the website or questions and comments concerning our work? Send an email to fine@gse.harvard.edu.

Enjoy!

FINE – The Family Involvement Network of Educators