Synopses & Reviews
Countless studies demonstrate that students with parents actively involved in their education at home and school are more likely to earn higher grades and test scores, enroll in higher-level programs, graduate from high school, and go on to post-secondary education.
Beyond the Bake Sale shows how to form these essential partnerships and how to make them work.
Packed with tips from principals and teachers, checklists, and an invaluable resource section, Beyond the Bake Sale reveals how to build strong collaborative relationships and offers practical advice for improving interactions between parents and teachers, from insuring that PTA groups are constructive and inclusive to navigating the complex issues surrounding diversity in the classroom.
Written with candor, clarity, and humor, Beyond the Bake Sale is essential reading for teachers, parents on the front lines in public schools, and administrators and policy makers at all levels.
Review
"
Beyond the Bake Sale provides compelling, practical ways to collaborate in building the partnerships necessary to create a culture of learning and achievement. It will become the seminal reference for school districts and schools that are serious about family and community engagement."
Thomas W. Payzant, Senior Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
"Beyond the Bake Sale emphatically reminds us that the missing ingredient in closing the gaps in achievement is heaping measures of community and family involvement. In this one-of-a-kind book, even the most savvy experts will find novel advice and useful tools, surveys, sample school policies, checklists, and strategies."
Wendy D. Puriefoy, president, Public Education Network, Washington, D.C.
"This outstanding resource recognizes and builds upon assets that parents and communities bring in creating partnerships for childrens school successrich in examples that help schools acknowledge the cultural strengths of families, and their important contribution to teaching and learning."
Dr. Rosana G. Rodriguez, Director of Community and Public Engagement, Intercultural Development Research Association, Austin, Texas
Synopsis
An updated and expanded edition of a study first published in 1986 by the National Committee for Citizens in Education introduces a practical, hands-on approach to bring families and schools together to improve children's education, explaining how to build strong collaborative relationships and improve interaction between teachers and parents. Original.
About the Author
Anne T. Henderson is a senior consultant with the Community Involvement Program, Annenberg Institute for School Reform.
Dr. Vivian Johnson is the leading researcher on Parent/Family Centers in schools. She lives in Boston.
Karen L. Mapp is a lecturer on education at Harvard and former Deputy Superintendent for Family and Community Engagement in Boston.
Don Davies is the founder of the Institute for Responsive Education and Professor Emeritus at Boston University.
Table of Contents
ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments xi
Section I Why Partnerships Are Important
Chapter 1 Introduction: Why Bother to Read This Book? 1
Chapter 2 What Is a Family-School Partnership
Supposed to Look Like? 13
Section II Getting Started: Building the Relationship
Chapter 3 Ready, Set, Go! How Do You Know if Youre
Really Open to Partnership? 27
Chapter 4 Developing Relationships: How Can You Build
Trust Instead of Blaming Each Other? 47
Checklist: How Family-Friendly Is Your School? 75
Section III Guidelines for Action from Research
Chapter 5 Linking to Learning: How Will Involving Parents
Help Your Test Scores? 81
Checklist: How Closely Is Your Schools Parent Involvement
Program Linked to Student Learning? 108
Chapter 6 Addressing Differences: How Can You Deal with
Issues of Race, Class, and Culture? 113
Checklist: How Well Is Your School Bridging Racial, Class,
and Cultural Differences? 146
Chapter 7 Supporting Advocacy: How Can Problem Parents”
Become Partners You Can Work With? 151
Checklist: How Well Does Your School Support Parents
as Advocates? 182
Chapter 8 Sharing Power: Whos in Charge Here Anyway? 187
Checklist: How Well Is Your School Sharing Power and
Practicing Democracy? 214
Chapter 9 Scaling Up: Why Cant All Schools in a District
Create Strong Partnerships with Families? 219
Checklist: How Well Does Your District Support Family and
Community Contents Engagement? 247
Section IV Resources and Tools
Chapter 10 Help! Where Can You Find Useful Resources
to Build Your Partnership? 251
Chapter Topics 252
Selected Resources 265
Recommended Reading from the San Diego PALs 286
Chapter 11 Tools to Support Your Work: Where Do We Start? 289
1. Attitude Check 2912. Conference Checklist 293
3. Developing a Code of Conduct 294
4. District Policy on Family-School Partnership 296
5. Family Involvement CoordinatorSample Job Description 298
6. Family Welcome Questionnaire 302
7. Homework Survey 304
8. Needs Assessment Survey 306
9. Parent Review 307
10. Parent Volunteer Survey 308
11. School Climate Survey 311
12. Tips for Developing a School Family Involvement Policy 314
Selected Bibliography 320
Notes 324
Index 331