Schools and Families

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses strategies that schools can use to open up the lines of communication between families and schools. The first strategy relates that schools must strive to create a common community of shared values while showing respect for each family's culture. The second strategy addresses the need to create personal connections with families through involvement strategies and the third strategy deals with the need to solve purely logistical problems, such as difficulties with transportation and the English skills of the parents. The fourth strategy suggested is that parents can be helpful in creating school-business partnerships, for example, by funding school events.

Outline:
Step 1: Create a Common Culture but Show Respect for Family's Culture
Step 2: Create Personal Connections With Families Through Involvement Strategies
Step 3: Address Logistical Concerns
Step 4: Involve the Community

From the Paper:

"According to Chris Ferguson of the National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools, past reviews of research studies designed to assess the needs of schools and families suggest that schools must adopt a two-pronged strategy in opening up the lines of communication between families and schools (Ferguson 2005:1 ). Schools must strive to create a common community of shared values. But schools must also incorporate the different types of input provided by administrators, parents, and teachers in defining the school's mission. Staff members must become fluent in communicating with individuals of different cultures to communicate the school's own, core message of academic community and advancement."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Carter, Susanne. (2003, Oct). "Educating our children together: A sourcebook for effective family-school-community partnerships." CADRE. Retrieved 21 Jul 2008 at http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/EducatingOurChildren_01.cfm
• Ferguson, Chris. (2005, Sept). "Reaching out to diverse populations." National Center for Familyand Community Connections with Schools. Retrieved 21 Jul 2008 at http://www.sedl.org/connections/resources/rb/rb5-diverse.pdf

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