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

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.

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.

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

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.

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."

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.

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

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.

Dr. Valenzuela's blog

Dr. Valenzuela's blog

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

Earlier this year, the Pew Hispanic Center reported that the number of Hispanic youth dropping out of high school hit a record low. Despite the decrease, i

Earlier this year, the Pew Hispanic Center reported that the number of Hispanic youth dropping out of high school hit a record low.