When programs and initiatives focus on building respectful and trusting relationships among school staff, families, and community members, they are more effective in creating and sustaining connections that support student achievement. Strong Collaborative Relationships Hoover-Dempsey, K.V., Whitaker, M.C, C.L. Ice. (2010). Motivation and Commitment to Family-School Partnerships. Handbook of School-Family Partnerships. New York: Routledge,

Trust “Trust between parents and teachers has been shown to correlate with students’ credits earned, GPA…attendance, and to predict student achievement.” 1.Why is trust between parents and teachers so critical? 2.What is an example of a way you’ve seen a teacher build trust with students’ families? 3.What kinds of things can erode trust between teachers and families? Clarke, B.L., Sheridan, S.M., Woods, K.E. (2010). Elements of Healthy Family-School Relationships. Handbook of School-Family Partnerships. New York: Routledge. 67.

Respect “The amount of respect families feel from school personnel has been found to be more important in the family-school relationship than how much time families spend at school.” 1.What are some ways we’ve seen a teacher show respect to a family – maybe one that was anxious about something related to their child’s education? 2.What kinds of factors can negatively impact a feeling of respect between teachers and families? Clarke, B.L., Sheridan, S.M., Woods, K.E. (2010). Elements of Healthy Family-School Relationships. Handbook of School- Family Partnerships. New York: Routledge. 67.

The Embracing of Differences Parent involvement programs that are effective… engage diverse families, recognize cultural and class differences, address needs, and build on strengths. 1.What is a particular need that exists among some of the diverse families we serve? 2.How have we, or how could we, confirm these needs? 3.What are some ways our schools go about helping support the meeting of identified needs? Henderson, A.T. & Mapp, K.L. ( ). A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family and Community Connections on Student Achievement: A Research Synthesis. Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, Austin,Texas.

Being Welcoming & Needs-Focused Actions that successfully connect with families and communities invite involvement, are welcoming, and address specific parental and community needs. 1.What are some ways we go about confirming that every one of our families feel welcome at our school? 2.How do we go about asking our families what they need to help their children be successful? 3.Do we have any examples of some ways these things are done systematically and school wide? Henderson, A.T. & Mapp, K.L. ( ). A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family and Community Connections on Student Achievement: A Research Synthesis. Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, Austin,Texas

Equality – Through a Genuine Sharing of Power Effective connections embrace a philosophy of partnership where power (information, data, decision-making) is shared… among parents, school staff, and community members. 1.What are a few ways our schools or a school we know of goes about sharing information and engaging in two-way communications with all stakeholders that will impact students, data, and decision-making power? Henderson, A.T. & Mapp, K.L. ( ). A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family and Community Connections on Student Achievement: A Research Synthesis. Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, Austin,Texas.