What Successful Schools Do to Involve Families

'Partnering with parents is a missing link in efforts to improve student achievement. This book offers teachers specific and practical suggestions to capitalize on this extraordinary untapped resource.'-David Freitas, Professor of Education Indiana University, South BendWatch performance levels climb when students are supported by teachers, families, and the community! Emphasizing that students learn best when families and schools work together to promote student achievement, What Successful Schools Do to Involve Families offers teachers and administrators 55 practical strategies for forming effective partnerships with every type of family group. From traditional forms of communication-such as open houses, parent-teacher conferences, and fundraising efforts-to hot-button topics such as bullying and discipline, this book helps educators bridge the gap between school and home by providing:Solidly researched strategies with relevant how-to applications, tips, precautions, and additional resourcesStrategies for reaching out to non-mainstream or non-traditional families A chapter on the role of non-parental caregiversProven methods for including families in discussions about homework, literacy, mathematics, and students with special needsNurture academic success and resiliency in students by strengthening the bond between families, educators, and the outside community!