Partnering with Families and Communities
by Joyce L. Epstein and Karen Clark Salinas
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Overview
In this article the writers discuss the difference between a professional learning community and a school learning community. A professional learning community with its focus on professional interactions between school staff certainly builds a sense of professional teamwork, they suggest, but falls short of contributing to a true community of learners. A true learning community also needs to include parents, students and community organisations as partners.
When all of these groups are included schools have a chance of becoming really effective learning communities. They discuss, in particular, how engaging parents in the life of the school can really enhance learning for students.
The writers describe a number of practical approaches to making this happen, including an explanation of Epstein’s Six Types of Involvement. The article contains wide-ranging ‘tips’ and school stories. It has a strong research base and good references for follow-up.
Reflective questions
These reflective questions might guide you in your reading of this article:
- This article provides many helpful suggestions for ways of engaging parents in the building of children’s positive learning experiences. How have you tried to do this at your school?
- Do you think your school could be defined as a learning community? In what ways?
- What goals would you set for maintaining parent and community involvement in your school to build a school learning community?
- Look at the six types of involvement described in the article. How would you rate your school on each?
References
Epstein, L., & Salinas, K. Clark (2004). Partnering with families and communities [Electronic version]. Educational Leadership, 61(8).
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