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.
May FINE Newsletter: Policy Resources
May 2007
Dear FINE Member,
Here are this month's FINE member updates. Please feel free to forward this information to your friends and other education colleagues.
This month's FINE announcement focuses on family involvement policy resources at both the district and federal level. There is emerging evidence that when districts recognize the importance of family involvement in children’s education and create programs and policies that support its implementation, schools are more likely to become environments that encourage families and teachers to work together for student achievement. In addition to a case study of a district that has taken on this work, in this announcement you will also find a variety of federal level policy resources intended to inform the reauthorization of NCLB—specifically the parent involvement portion of the legislation.
The announcement also includes a list of emerging ideas from HFRP's 2007 American Education Research Association conference symposium on what the current evaluation evidence base reveals about family involvement and how this knowledge can inform policy and practice in the future.
New From FINE
- A Decade of Urban School Reform
HFRP staff members Abby R. Weiss and Helen Westmoreland describe the evolution of Boston Public Schools' family and community engagement efforts in a chapter of the recently released book, A Decade of Urban School Reform: Persistence and Progress in the Boston Public Schools, published by the Harvard Education Press. The authors describe how collective community action contributed to a critical reframing of the district's approach to family and community engagement over a 10-year period and analyze the key elements of the district's new plan. The chapter also includes recommendations and lessons learned for other school districts working to create and implement meaningful family engagement plans. To learn more about and to purchase the book, go to the link above.
- Evaluating Family Involvement Interventions
HFRP’s panel symposium at last month’s annual meeting of the American Education Research Association explored what the current evaluation evidence base reveals about family involvement and how this knowledge can inform policy and practice in the future. To read a summary of the panelists’ presentations at the symposium, "Family Involvement Interventions: Shining the Spotlight on Evaluation," visit our conference page at the link below.
New From HFRP
- Key Findings: What Predicts Participation in OST?
This Fact Sheet summarizes findings and implications from HFRP’s recently completed Study of Predictors of Participation in Out-of-School Time (OST) Activities. Among the findings, the research shows that family income and ethnicity, as well as youth's family lives, are related to whether and how often youth participate in OST activities and programs.
- Demographic Differences in OST Participation
This 2-page Research Summary contains a subset of findings contained in the Fact Sheet and presents key findings on differences in multiple dimensions of participation in a range of OST activities among youth from varying family income levels and racial and ethnic groups.
- Related Resource: Out-of School Time Participation Study
To read more about the OST participation study, please visit the link above.
Policy
- Testimony of Anne T. Henderson to U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
On March 28, 2007, family involvement researcher Anne Henderson provided Senate testimony on No Child Left Behind (NCLB) reauthorization. In her testimony, she talked about effective strategies for engaging parents and communities and schools. You can read a transcript of her testimony at the link above.
- “More Parental Power in Revised No Child Left Behind Urged”
This article from EdWeek summarizes some of the major issues surrounding NCLB reauthorization and parent involvement. The article also highlights experts' suggestions for strengthening the parental involvement aspect of the law.
- PTA Recommendations for Parent Involvement in the Upcoming ESEA-NCLB Reauthorization
This document outlines PTA's recommendations for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The recommendations are grounded in four core principles: (1) more accountability to parents, (2) better data through a more understandable delivery system, (3) better resources to help parents and teachers, and (4) community support.
Articles & Reports
- School Community Journal
The current issue of the School Community Journal is now available online. The issue contains articles providing evidence of the benefits of family involvement in children’s learning and potential avenues for that involvement. You can read the issue at the link above.
- 2006 MetLife Survey of the American Teacher: Expectations & Experience
This year’s MetLife Survey examines the perspectives of teachers, principals, and deans of schools of education with respect to teacher preparation, satisfaction, and career paths in education. Among its findings, the survey shows that “half of teachers at both the elementary and secondary school levels describe parental involvement in their child's education (50%) and parental understanding of the school curriculum (48%) as inadequate.”
- Writing to Be Heard: Parents Speak Up and Out About Parents' Participation in Urban Public High Schools
This report, written by Research For Action and youth researchers of Youth United for Change and Philadelphia Student Union, demonstrates how parents want to be involved in urban schools and makes recommendations for how districts can support this involvement.
Upcoming Events
- Critical Issues in Urban Special Education
Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Programs in Professional Education presents a summer institute on what school districts, schools, and communities can do to improve educational outcomes for children with disabilities and children at risk—from birth to 5 years of age. The institute will take place from July 16–20, 2007. For more information or to register, visit the link above or call 1-800-545-1849.
- 2007 Summer Evaluation Institute
Sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with support from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, this Evaluation Institute will be held June 11-13, 2007, in Atlanta, Georgia. Topics range from evaluation planning, sampling, causal attribution, focus groups, and appreciative inquiry; to reporting, theory to practice, system dynamics, and cultural competence. To register and learn more, go to the link above.
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