EDU 1143

This resource is the web site for the National Center for Culturally Responsive Educational Systems (NCCRESt). NCCRESt provides technical assistance and professional development to close the achievement gap between students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and their peers, and reduce inappropriate referrals to special education.

Established at Johns Hopkins University in 1996, NNPS invites schools, districts, states, and organizations to join together and use research-based approaches to organize and sustain excellent programs of family and community involvement that will increase student success in school. "Based on more than three decades of research on parental involvement, family engagement, and community partnerships, NNPS's tools, guidelines, and action team approach may be used by all elementary, middle, and high schools to increase involvement and improve student learning and development," explains Dr. Joyce L. Epstein, Founder and Director of NNPS. NNPS also guides district leaders to help their schools develop goal-oriented programs of family involvement and community connections, and to meet NCLB requirements for parent involvement. In addition, NNPS assists state departments of education and organizations to develop policies and take actions that will support districts and schools in strengthening their partnership programs. Researchers and facilitators at the Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships at Johns Hopkins University work with the members of NNPS to study the nature and results of involvement. NNPS aims to increase knowledge of new concepts and strategies; use research results to develop tools and materials that will improve policy and practice; provide professional development conferences and workshops; share best practices of parental involvement and community connections; and recognize excellent partnership programs at the school, district, organization, and state levels. This website provides NNPS members with updated information, research results, and ideas for action from the NNPS staff and members across the country. The site also informs prospective members about NNPS approaches, benefits, and services.

At NCPIE, our mission is simple: to advocate the involvement of parents and families in their children's education, and to foster relationships between home, school, and community to enhance the education of all our nation's young people. How We Make a Difference Our coalition seeks to: Serve as a visible representative for strong parent and family involvement initiatives at the national level. Conduct activities that involve the coalition's member organizations and their affiliates and constituencies in efforts to increase family involvement. Provide resources and legislative information that can help member organizations promote parent and family involvement.

The Partnership for Family Involvement in Education The work of the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education addresses issues, provides information, expands professional development, and offers opportunities for sharing and networking, all in the area of educating America's children. The Partnership for Family Involvement in Education, with the assistance of partner members, seeks to help other collaborative initiatives at local, state, and national levels: Hold regional and national forums and conferences to educate their partners about current, relevant family-friendly policies and exemplary practices; Provide these partners (from families, business, education, religious and community groups, and government agencies) with comprehensive partnership building, management, and assessment tools; and Use resources and research provided by the U.S. Department of Education and other national, local, and state partners, to mobilize interest, energy, and expertise through convened meetings, directed research, materials (guides, kits, reports, and CDs), hosted teleconferences, a monthly newsletter, a Web site, and extended technical assistance.

The evidence is consistent, positive, and convincing: families have a major influence on their children's achievement in school and through life. This fourth edition of Evidence confirms that the research continues to grow and build an ever-strengthening case. 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.

This article includes current research on parent involvement, including the outcomes of parent involvement and recommendations for increasing parent involvement. (National Middle School Association, 2006)

Despite inroads made toward improving gender equality, children continue to be socially and academically disadvantaged due to gender inequality. This month, a special online edition of Our Children is calling attention to the ways attitudes toward gender may negatively affect girls and boys, and how schools and parents can ensure that all children reach their full potential.