March 2006 Announcement
Dear FINE Member,
Here are this month's FINE member updates. Please
feel free to forward this information to friends and other education colleagues.
New on the FINE Website
- Bibliography
of Family Involvement Research Published in 2005
We've updated our bibliography of research covering family involvement
in education to include literature from 2005. The FINE bibliographies include
journal articles, dissertations and theses, books and book chapters, reports,
research briefs, and papers.
New from Harvard Family Research Project
-
OST Guide
to Family Involvement: Focus on Families! How to Build and Support Family-Centered
Practices in After School
We're pleased to announce a new, comprehensive guide to engaging families
in out-of-school time. This guide for after school providers was produced
through a partnership between HFRP, United Way of Massachusetts Bay, and
BOSTnet. Inside, you'll find a research review of the benefits and challenges
of engaging families after school, strategies for engaging families, program
examples, an evaluation tool, and additional resources. This easy-to-read
guide is a critical resource for any after school provider looking to create
or expand a family engagement program.
- Harnessing Technology
in Out-of-School Time Settings
This Out-of-School Time Evaluation Snapshot examines how OST programs
and initiatives are utilizing technology, how these programs and initiatives
are being evaluated, and what implementation and outcomes lessons can be
learned from this set of evaluations. The Snapshot also illuminates
some promising strategies for incorporating technology into OST programs.
- New Issue of The Evaluation
Exchange on Professional Development
The new issue of The Evaluation Exchange focuses on evaluating professonal
development across a range of fields, including after school and youth development,
education, child care, and child welfare. The issue features innovative
methods in professional development, conceptual frameworks and practical
tools for evaluating professional development, links between professional
development and program quality, and the role of organizational contexts
in supporting professional development and positive outcomes.
Books
-
Black
Hands in the Biscuits Not in the Classrooms: Unveiling Hope in a Struggle
for Brown's Promise
This recent book by Sherick A. Hughes, a professor of education at the
University of Toledo, examines the pedagogy of Black families in the South
and their experiences with the education system after desegregation. You
can purchase a copy by clicking on the link above.
-
Bridging
Cultures in Early Care and Education: A Training Module
Marlene Zepeda, Janet Gonzalez-Mena, Carrie Rothstein-Fisch, and Elise
Trumbull introduce a framework for understanding the role of culture in
early childhood education and discuss implications for professionals working
with young children and families. The book contains workshop materials for
pre- and in-service educators. You can find an excerpt in the most recent
R&D Alert from WestEd. You can purchase a copy of the book
from the publisher by clicking on the link above.
Reports and Articles
-
Dear
Public: Can We Talk?
Jean Johnson and Will Friedman of Public Agenda discuss the importance
of communication between parents, schools, and communities when implementing
school reform. The authors advocate well-planned public engagement that
fosters dialogue and offers choices.
- Homeschooling
in the United States: 2003
This February 2006 report from the National Center for Education Statistics
uses data from the 2003 Parent and Family Involvement Survey to estimate
that over one million students were homeschooled in that year, a 29 percent
increase from 1999. The report examines parents' reasons for homeschooling
their children and the characteristics of these families.
- Reaching
All Children? Understanding Early Care and Education Participation Among Immigrant
Families
This report by Hannah Matthews and Danielle Ewen of the Center for Law
and Social Policy summarizes research on early education in immigrant families,
including rates of Head Start participation, and presents research-based
policy recommendations.
-
Reality Check 2006: Are Parents and Students Ready for More Math and Science?
Despite policy makers' emphasis on improved math and science education,
the latest Reality Check survey from Education Insights at Public Agenda
finds that parents and students consider current math and science programs
sufficient. The survey also finds no gender difference in attitudes toward
math and science and that minority students are more likely to be concerned
about math and science education.
- Schools,
Families, and Social and Emotional Learning: Ideas and Tools for Working with
Parents and Families
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, together
with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Educational Laboratory for Student Success,
published this packet to encourage parent–teacher partnerships by disseminating
research, best practices, and handouts for parents. The parent handouts
are also available in
Spanish.
Policy
Upcoming Events
-
National
Conference on Family Literacy
The 15th annual conference of the National Center for Family Literacy focuses
on “Creating a Literate Nation” and will take place in Louisville,
Kentucky, March 19–21, 2006. Session topics include parent involvement
at home and in school, parent advocacy, and parent leadership.
-
HFRP
Symposium at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting
HFRP has organized a symposium session at AERA's 2006 Annual Meeting in
San Francisco. The symposium, “New Research on Family Involvement and
Academic Achievement,” will take place on Monday, April 10, 10:35 am–12:05
pm in Section A3 of Golden Gate Hall at the Marriott Hotel. HFRP director
Heather Weiss will chair the session, and Kathleen Hoover-Dempsey will serve
as a discussant. You can find general information about the conference at
the link above.
Contact Us
Have a problem with the website or questions and comments concerning our work?
Send an email to fine@gse.harvard.edu.
Enjoy!
FINE – The Family Involvement Network of Educators
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