Group items tagged

Latinos1 have been continually overrepresented in low-skill and service sector U.S. jobs. One of the factors accounting for this is the educational experience of the Latino community, which has been characterized by low high school graduation rates, low college completion rates and substandard schooling conditions.2 As schools and policymakers seek to improve the educational conditions of Latinos, parental influence in the form of school involvement is assumed to play some role in shaping students' educational experiences.

In an effort to improve student achievement and to help to close the achievement gap, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and the National Education Association (NEA) partnered through their Parent Engagement initiatives to increase the inclusion and engagement of parents of color in their children's education.

"Community engagement is increasingly becoming an integral part of research. "Community-engaged research" (CEnR) introduces new stakeholders as well as unique challenges to the protection of participants and the integrity of the research process. We-a group of representatives of CTSA-funded institutions and others who share expertise in research ethics and CEnR-have identified gaps in the literature regarding (1) ethical issues unique to CEnR; (2) the particular instructional needs of academic investigators, community research partners, and IRB members; and (3) best practices for teaching research ethics. This paper presents what we know, as well as what we still need to learn, in order to develop quality research ethics educational materials tailored to the full range of stakeholder groups in CEnR."

NEA policy brief examining research showing need for community involvement in education

This survey examines Latinos' perceptions of education and their feelings about the system

Growing STEM Education on the Playground: A Case Study of the Factors That Influence Teachers' Use of School Gardens

Investing in Our Future: The Evidence Base on Preschool Education

Annotated literature review on the effects of mixed-income communities for low-income families. Implications for education, though minimal.

This guide provides ideas and suggestions taken from research on family and community involvement in schools and can help school staff and others design a long-term approach to garnering the positive involvement of all concerned. These ideas represent the tip of the iceberg of what is possible. There are as many solutions for creating a comprehensive plan to involve parents, families, and the community in the education of children, as there are schools. Each school has its own demographic mix, community context, and history. Following are ideas that can be modified and expanded upon to suit the needs of the school.

Family and community involvements foster partnerships among schools, family and community groups, and individuals.

This research synthesis is the third in a series of reports to help local school, community, and family leaders obtain useful research-based information about key educational issues. This synthesis addresses diversity as it relates to student achievement and school, family, and community connections.

A report out today identifies best practices for bridging the minority parent-school divide, compiled from study of leading educational organizations

Dr. Valenzuela's blog

Dr. Valenzuela's blog

Article arguing "Research shows that an authentically engaged community improves schools - not just by participating in school events, but also by helping to shape reform."

When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more." That's the conclusion of A New Wave of Evidence, a report from SEDL.

Parent involvement is consistently cited as an important correlate of effective schools. For nearly a quarter of a century, research on parental and family involvement has documented that parents can do much to reinforce positive attitudes toward school, to prepare their children for school, and to support their children's efforts once they are in school.

Autobiographies of students, describing events and people trying to get at how school is perceived as punishing to students