Online Resources

The Diversity Kit: An Introductory Resource for Social Change in Education

http://www.alliance.brown.edu/tdl/diversitykit.shtml

The Diversity Kit includes information on "Building on Family Strengths." Under Part II: Culture, see "Culture, Family, and Community."

Enabling Academic Success for Secondary Students with Limited Formal Schooling: A Study of the Haitian Literacy Program at Hyde Park School in Boston

http://www.alliance.brown.edu/public/pubs/HaitianLit.pdf

This publication offers a case study of the Haitian literacy program at a public high school, includes an historical overview of literacy programs for students with limited formal schooling, and provides background on the Haitian student population. Appendices contain literacy assessment tools used in the program.

If Your Child Learns in Two Languages - A Parent's Guide for Improving Educational Opportunities for Children Acquiring English as a Second Language

http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/pubs/parent/index.htm

This pamphlet is intended for parents of English language learners and offers guidance for improving educational opportunities. It is also available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Haitian Creole.

Keep Talking: The Family on Your School's Agenda

http://www.alliance.brown.edu/public/pubs/keep_talking/KeepTalking.pdf

These five conversation guides will help principals facilitate discussions about family partnerships. They are designed to encourage teachers, parents, and administrators to talk about family and community partnerships in a different way.

Links for Involving Families in Education

http://www.idra.org/Services/Services.htm#Education

"Links for Involving Families in Education" is a program from the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) to help educators develop school-family partnerships.

National Center for Family and Community Connections With Schools

http://sedl.org/connections/focus.html

The National Center for Family and Community Connections With Schools, at the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL), is a national resource for research and expertise in building family, school, and community partnerships.

Perspectives on Policy and Practice: Involving English Language Learners in Community-Connected Learning

http://www.alliance.brown.edu/public/pubs/pc/pperMar2000-ELL.pdf

This publication lists effective strategies for involving English language learners in community and project-based learning programs, including first steps for schools to take and a list of resources for further reading.

School-Linked Services: Child Opportunity Zone Family Centers

http://www.alliance.brown.edu/public/pubs/sl/coz-sls.pdf

This report focuses on school-linked services, family support programs, and school-family-community partnerships in Rhode Island.

Activities

Building on Family Strengths - Connecting academic content to the real-life experiences of students can enhance student learning and strengthen school and community relationships.

Challenging Cultural Assumptions in Family Involvement - As community and school populations change, school culture must adapt to new values and beliefs.