This problem-based learning project delves into the perceptions of school leaders regarding the challenges and strategies involved in fostering equitable family engagement within the school setting. Acknowledging the historical inequities in engagement practices, particularly affecting marginalized groups, the research team aimed to address the…

This problem-based learning project delves into the perceptions of school leaders regarding the challenges and strategies involved in fostering equitable family engagement within the school setting. Acknowledging the historical inequities in engagement practices, particularly affecting marginalized groups, the research team aimed to address the…

This problem-based learning project delves into the perceptions of school leaders regarding the challenges and strategies involved in fostering equitable family engagement within the school setting. Acknowledging the historical inequities in engagement practices, particularly affecting marginalized groups, the research team aimed to address the…

As community schools grow in numbers, this article argues that the model needs to be interrogated in order to address the power imbalances that exist between non-dominant families and schools. This paper draws on a citywide study of parent interviews as well as public documents and interviews with key community school leaders in Baltimore to…

Thomas J. Capretta, Jingyang (Max) Zhang, Eric M. Anderman, and Barbara J. Boone revisit Joyce Epstein's 1995 Kappan article on overlapping spheres of influence and family-school partnerships. They highlight one idea from the article that has been largely overlooked -- the role of student voice and leadership. To refocus researchers' and…

This study investigated the impact of parental involvement on school readiness, focusing on the mediating role of preschoolers' self-efficacy. The research utilized a cross-sectional survey design with 1,000 preschool children from seven public kindergartens in Beijing, China. Structural equation modelling was employed for data analysis. The…

Families are critical partners in addressing chronic absenteeism. Drawing from research, authors Thomas J. Capretta, Jingyang (Max) Zhang, and Barbara J. Boone present four throughlines and six strategies for schools to improve attendance by building trust and partnering with families. In view of chronic absenteeism's association with negative…

Children's early school experiences shape their learning in future years. The transition from pre-kindergarten, or pre-K, to kindergarten is particularly important. This critical time builds the foundation for children's academic, behavioral and social-emotional skills, as well as families' relationships with their child's teachers for years to…

During the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and continuing racial injustices, many literacy clinics pivoted to online instruction. Educators were now in students' homes for virtual literacy lessons. To understand how literacy clinics responded, teacher educators analyzed a national survey of clinic directors' perspectives. Analysis regarding family…

The significance of family involvement in early childhood services has been recognised as crucial for enhancing the educational outcomes of young children, particularly among those from minority and immigration backgrounds. Extensive research has been conducted on collaborative practices between immigrant parents and early childhood communities,…

Over the first 18 years of life, students spend a large portion of their time in school and at home. Having a good relationship between the adults at home and school is vital for the success of children throughout their schooling. This relationship can often feel one sided, but what if there is another reason why the relationship between home and…

Preservice educators' attitudes and beliefs towards families can have a profound impact on family-centered practices (FCPs) and family-professional partnerships (FPPs); unfortunately, negative beliefs about families can surface during preservice early childhood preparation and can be a challenge for faculty in higher education to address. This…

National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) defines family leadership as strategies and services that improve and enhance the leadership skills of parenting adults and that are designed to support families in becoming advocates for themselves, their families, and their communities. This work is accomplished alongside the education and community…

Members of school learning communities and researchers recognize that partnerships between families and schools are critical to the success of student learning (Epstein et al., 2018; Galindo & Sheldon, 2012). This qualitative descriptive multiple case study aimed to understand how five school superintendents from culturally and linguistically…

Framed by family language policy (FLP), in conjunction with the Douglas Fir Group's ecological transdisciplinary framework for second language acquisition, this multiple case study investigates the FLPs of two Hmong-American families in relation to a Hmong-English dual-language program (DLP) where their children are enrolled. Interviews,…