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Principals Matter
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Principals Matter
A Guide to School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Edited by:


July 2009 | 160 pages | Corwin
'Addresses specific populations that are often alienated by schools: fathers, parents of children with disabilities, and families of poverty. It provides a good overview of key research on the topic of family involvement in schools, its impact, and practices for obtaining involvement'

William Ruff, Assistant Professor

Montana State University

'An excellent book. Each chapter opens with relevant research and presents suggestions for practical applications. I would buy this book for a task force or professional learning community'

Julie C. Burger, Principal

Frederick Leighton Elementary School, Oswego, NY

Research has shown that strong principal leadership is critical to developing effective school partnerships that include diverse school, family and community members. This book provides administrators with a clear road map for initiating partnership programs that are goal-focused, equitable, and sustainable.

In this research-based resource, the authors highlight the work of principals who have cultivated successful partnerships across many settings to show other school leaders how they can develop the necessary supportive school cultures. Examining the administrator's role in the success and quality of home-school partnerships and student outcomes, this guidebook:

- Synthesizes research on principal leadership, school and community partnerships, and urban education reform

- Discusses the role of fathers in children's learning and working with families that live in poverty, are linguistically diverse, or have children with disabilities

- Offers practical recommendations for evaluating and refining partnership programs to ensure they are linked with student achievement goals.

 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Introduction: Standards for School, Family, and Community Partnerships
 
Part I. Laying the Foundation
 
1. Policy, Theory, and Research on School, Family, and Community Partnerships
Partnerships and Academic Outcomes

 
Partnerships and Nonacademic Outcomes

 
Why This Matters for Principals

 
Reflection Questions

 
 
2. Reculturing Schools for School, Family, and Community Partnerships
Schools as Community Institutions

 
Developing a Coordinated Program of School, Family, Community Partnerships

 
Principal Leadership and School Outcomes

 
Obstacles to Effective School, Family, and Community Partnerships

 
Steps Toward Recultured Schools

 
Why This Matters for Principals

 
Reflection Questions

 
 
Part II. Responding to Diversity
 
3. Fathers and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
Why Fathers Matter

 
Father Demographics

 
The Role of Fathers

 
Guidelines for Developing Partnership Efforts to Involve Fathers

 
Why This Matters for Principals

 
Reflection Questions

 
 
4. Families of Children With Disabilities and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
IDEA and Children With Special Needs

 
District and School Outreach to Families of Children With Disabilities

 
Specific Needs and Experiences of Families of Children With Disabilities

 
Engagement Strategies for the Families of Children With Disabilities

 
Creating Inclusive Environments for Special Needs Populations

 
Why This Matters for Principals

 
Reflection Questions

 
 
5. Linguistically Diverse Families and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
Growth in Immigration and Limited English Proficient Students and Families

 
LEP Students and Families

 
LEP Students and NCLB

 
Strategies to Facilitate the Involvement of LEP Families

 
Culturally Intelligent Principal Leadership

 
Why This Matters for Principals

 
Reflection Questions

 
 
6. Families Living in Poverty and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
Challenges Faced by Low-Income Families

 
Avoiding a Deficit Perspective

 
A Collaborative Approach

 
Why This Matters for Principals

 
Reflection Questions

 
 
Part III. Maximizing Outcomes
 
7. Evaluating Programs of School, Family, and Community Partnerships
Planning an Evaluation

 
Collecting Data

 
Presenting the Findings

 
Why This Matters for Principals

 
Reflection Questions

 
 
Concluding Thoughts
 
References
 
Index

"The book provides a vast overview of the many key aspects of partnerships between schools, families, and communities grounded in data and research that illustrates the positive impact that strong stakeholder partnerships have on student achievement. The examples, vignettes, and stories provide rich material to illuminate the points addressed."

Belinda Gimbert, Assistant Professor
The Ohio State University

"An excellent book. Each chapter opens with relevant research and presents suggestions for practical applications. As a principal, I would buy this book for a task force or professional learning community."

Julie C. Burger, Principal
Frederick Leighton Elementary School, Oswego, NY

"There is so much valuable information in this book that any administrator, regardless of experience, can gain huge benefits from reading it and putting into effect many of the suggested activities and programs."

Marian Hermie, Clinical Associate Professor
Arizona State University

"What sets this book apart from other school and community source books is that it addresses specific populations that are often alienated by schools: fathers, parents of children with disabilities, and families of poverty. It provides a good overview of key research on the topic of family involvement in schools, its impact, and practices for obtaining involvement."

William Ruff, Assistant Professor
Montana State University

I utilized bits and pieces of this text - it was not my primary text.

Ms Abbey Bolton
Educational Administration K-12, Kent State University
May 31, 2011

Sample Materials & Chapters

Preface

Chapter 1


For instructors

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