Connecting School, Parents, and Community

Family and community involvement in schools includes partnerships among schools, families, community groups and individuals. Their involvement is designed to share and maximize resources and expertise in addressing the healthy development of children, youth and their families. At the center of school, family, and community partnerships is the student. "Students feel competent and do well in school when:

  • Their communities have accessible resources and supportive networks and involve students in community services.
  • Their families seek preventive care, value and encourage education, spend time with their children, and have clear expectations.
  • Schools involve families and students and encourage the development of positive behaviors.
  • Schools, families, and communities deliver clear, consistent messages" (Hawkins, Catalano, & Miller, 1992).

The American Association of School Administrators (Leaders Edge, 1998) declares that the research about parent involvement is clear: when parents are involved in their children's education, children excel. Numerous studies and reports were cited including the 1997 Gallup Poll that concluded the "amount of support from parents" was the number one factor why some schools are better than others. Strong Families, Strong Schools (1994) indicates that when families are involved in their children's education, children achieve higher grades, have better attendance, complete more homework, demonstrate more positive attitudes and behavior, graduate at higher rates, and have greater enrollment in higher education.

Schools cannot and should not bear the sole responsibility for the health and welfare of young people. However, with family and community support, coordinated school health programs can help students grow up healthy, achieve academically, and become productive adults.