A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

The Partnership for Family Involvement in Education - Who We Are and What We Do, April 2000
INTRODUCTION

The Partnership for Family Involvement in Education

The work of the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education addresses issues, provides information, expands professional development, and offers opportunities for sharing and networking, all in the area of educating America's children. The Partnership for Family Involvement in Education, with the assistance of partner members, seeks to help other collaborative initiatives at local, state, and national levels:
item: Hold regional and national forums and conferences to educate their partners about current, relevant family-friendly policies and exemplary practices;
item: Provide these partners (from families, business, education, religious and community groups, and government agencies) with comprehensive partnership building, management, and assessment tools; and
item: Use resources and research provided by the U.S. Department of Education and other national, local, and state partners, to mobilize interest, energy, and expertise through convened meetings, directed research, materials (guides, kits, reports, and CDs), hosted teleconferences, a monthly newsletter, a Web site, and extended technical assistance.

The Goals of the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education

The Partnership encourages individuals, partner organizations, and alliances, whether or not they are members of the Partnership, to develop and implement effective family involvement practices in education. The goals of the Partnership are to 1) increase opportunities for families to be more involved in their children's education both at home and at school; and 2) promote children's learning and achievement. To accomplish these goals, the Partnership encourages:
item: Mutual responsibility at home and at school and throughout the community to give students a better education and a good start in life;
item: Increased access to the resources, training, and information families need to help their children succeed in school;
item: Effective, regular two-way communication between families and schools;
item: Families to monitor their children's attendance, homework completion, and television watching; to become acquainted with school staff; to volunteer in school when possible; and to participate in the school decision-making process;
item: Family- and student-friendly business practices;
item: Well-planned partnerships with a common vision, in which family, business, community, education, and religious members generate a contagious enthusiasm for learning;
item: Family support to 1) schools where learning is assured, backed by performance indicators and measurement; 2) school goals that are strategic and integrated into the curriculum; and 3) schools' management and delivery of instruction;
item: Schools to welcome families—as full partners—in school activities and decision-making;
item: Educators to access a broad range of tools to better engage families in children's learning;
item: Before- and after-school learning activities in safe, drug-free environments where children interact with caring adults in meaningful learning activities; and
item: The effective use of facilities—schools, community buildings and churches—for children and families.

The Benefits of Joining the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education

As one collaborative effort among thousands across America, the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education provides benefits to other partnerships that are working and sharing information and good practices to increase family involvement in their children's education at home and at school, and promotes children's learning and achievement. From the office of the U.S. Department of Education's Partnership for Family Involvement in Education, you can receive the latest information about family involvement in education and related activities through free publications, newsletters, the Web site, and regional seminars. By joining this Partnership and/or your own local, state, or national partnership effort, you will:
item: Connect with other leaders like yourself to share ideas about educating our Nation's children;
item: Expand the support of families and employees for children's learning;
item: Create—with other partners—better ways to help children learn;
item: Be on a team that develops strategies, activities, and products that build communication and support between home and school; and
item: Receive local, state, and/or national recognition for commitments to education.

Your involvement in these collaborative efforts will help make education a priority in your community.
It will help:

Families

  • be effective in helping their children learn;
  • benefit from family-friendly business policies;
  • have access to lifelong learning; and
  • receive help from educators.

Communities

  • learn about after-school learning, mentoring, reading, and school readiness;
  • renew and/or expand community spirit and citizen participation to support education;
  • put their buildings and institutions to use as learning sites that support high standards and children's safety; and
  • bring together secular and religious groups to promote the positive values of educated communities.

Businesses

  • attract potential employees and retain these employees;
  • expand opportunities to help develop higher academic and skills standards;
  • increase access to a more highly skilled and globally competitive workforce; and
  • elicit positive consumer response to "socially responsible" companies.

Schools

  • receive Partnership guidebooks, toolkits, and other materials that encourage family participation,
  • after-school learning, and tips for overcoming cultural barriers;
  • enhance their opportunities for ongoing and better teacher training;
  • gain family support that encourages and promotes students' learning at school; and
  • increase public confidence and support for public education.

Children

  • receive the benefits of superior after-school learning, workforce preparation and mentoring;
  • experience course work that is more challenging, exciting, and relevant to the real world;
  • be challenged by higher standards for student learning; and
  • demonstrate improved learning and achievement.

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