Family Involvement

1a

a broadly defined concept that includes activities connecting children’s home and classroom learning experiences, as well as activities addressing the total needs of children and their families. This broad definition is best reflected in Joyce Epstein’s family-school-community partnership model.

1b

Schooling Discourse

2a

the language, materials, norms, expectations, and practices used by teachers and other school staff on a daily basis.

2b

The Federal Children’s Bureau

3a

a forerunner of government-sponsored programs targeting children. Developed in 1912, the purpose of the bureau was to collect and disseminate information about children’s development and education.

3b

The Works Progress Administration (WPA)

4a

a government agency established in 1933 to provide jobs for the unemployed. One result was the establishment of nursery schools and the employment of teachers.

4b

The Lanham Act

5a

developed in 1941, this act provided funding for child care programs for mothers who entered the work force during WWII.

5b

The Head Start Program

6a

created as a part of President Johnson’s war on poverty in 1965. The goal of Head Start is to promote school readiness among low income preschool children. The program’s focus on connecting classrooms, families, and communities reflects the family-school-community partnership model.

6b

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act

7a

this act required teachers to join with parents and community professionals to design lessons and classroom environments that accommodated the skills and needs of handicapped children.

7b

A Nation at Risk

8a

a 1983 report that focused on how public schools were failing to prepare children for productive lives in a new world economy. A “word to parents” was given at the end of the report to encourage parents to support their children’s education.

8b

Goals 2000: Educate America Act

9a

a document that set eight national goals for schools to meet by the year 2000. Federal grants were given to states to develop educational standards, assessments, and accountability systems. The act included a parent participation standard.

9b

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

10a

this is the major federal policy guiding American public education today. Included in NCLB are specific requirements for the involvement of families in their children’s education.

10b

Schools as Community Centers

11a

also referred to as “full-services schools,” these centers provide comprehensive educational, welfare, health, and recreational services in one location.

11b