A LOCAL WEB SITE CAN OPEN DOORS TO ALL TYPES OF INVOLVEMENT

One of the keys to successful family-school-community partnerships is information. That's why the computer--an unlimited information source--holds so much potential for boosting the involvement of parents in their children's education.

Joyce Epstein, PhD, Director of the Center of School, Family, and Community Partnerships at Johns Hopkins University, has developed a framework for six types of involvement that support strong partnerships: parenting, communicating, volunteering, learning at home, decision-making, and collaborating with the community. This framework provides a helpful structure when thinking about how a classroom, school or district site on the world wide web can be used to support family involvement in your community.

PARENTING

Information that supports parents in creating healthy and safe home environments where learning can take place permeates the Internet.

~ Links to helpful sites provide access to information on topics such as child development, parenting, child health and safety issues, choosing quality child care, etc.

~ "Ask-a-Parent" might be a locally-run interactive site for peer learning and sharing.

~ A library connection can highlight good parenting books that are available in the community.

COMMUNICATING

Families need information about their children's schools and their children's progress. Schools need information from parents to increase their understanding of the students and families they serve.

~ Online school handbooks can give basic information on attendance, discipline and other policies; students' and parents' rights; problem-solving steps; daily schedules and more.

~ E-mail links to teachers and administrators provide a vehicle for families to reach educators with questions, concerns and comments.

~ Classroom web sites featuring student writing and art, class projects, course overviews and expectations, or videos of field trips give parents a fuller picture of their children's life at school.

VOLUNTEERING

Often, parents and other community members want to help with school or classroom-related projects, but they don't have an easy way to find out what is needed.

~ A district database of educational volunteer opportunities-searchable by school, location, grade level, type of volunteer activity, and/or time commitment-could be developed to link schools, families and other community members.

~ Web "internships" could offer parents or other family members training in website development in exchange for their help with a school or classroom web site.

LEARNING AT HOME

Many parents want information and ideas about how to help their children with homework and how to supplement the curriculum at home.

~ Simple learning activities that reinforce classroom material can be posted weekly, or in combination with new teaching units.

~ A site listing essential skills keeps parents aware of what students need to know in each subject at each grade level.

~ "Parent refresher pages" remind parents how to divide fractions, use punctuation or study for a test.

DECISION-MAKING

Parents need information if they are to participate in school or district-level decision-making. They also need access to the decision-making process.

~ Online agendas and minutes of school board meetings, parent-teacher organizations, and other councils or committees keep parents informed about issues and decisions that impact their children and families.

~ Online opportunities to sign-up for school or district level committees and/or to communicate with school board members, committee chairs or parent representatives encourage parent participation.

~ Online community discussions or list-serv groups provide avenues for parent and community input on issues ranging from closed lunches to class size, from redistricting to test scores.

COMMUNITY COLLABORATING

Identifying resources and services from the community can strengthen family practices and student learning.

~ Links to local resources offer families access to information about services or programs that are available in their own communities.

~ Information about community activities and summer programs can keep parents posted about opportunities for their children during out-of-school hours.

~ School alumni web pages provide a chance for graduates to tie back into their old elementary, middle or high schools as resources, role models and/or volunteers.

Written by The Family Connection of St. Joseph County, Inc. for Partners in Learning [Vol 2:1, 1998] a newsletter of the Indiana Center for Family, School & Community Partnerships. If you would like more information about using technology to involve families, contact the Center at 317-205-2595 or email: fscp@indy.net (9/98)

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