“The studies identified several ways that schools can assist families . . .

“The studies identified several ways that schools can assist families in developing their capacity to support their children’s education:

• Engage them at school so they understand what their children are learning.
• Give them a voice in what happens to their children. • Provide information about how to help their children at home, what their children need to learn, and how to plan for college, postsecondary education, and a career.
• Foster social connections among families and with teachers.
• Build families’ understanding of the education system and how to guide their children through it successfully
• Offer access to social services and community agencies
• Identify and build on strengths in the community and among families.”

Anne T. Henderson and Karen L. Mapp, A New Wave of Evidence, The Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections on Student Achievement for the National Center for Family Community Connections with Schools at the Southwest Education Development Laboratory, Annual Synthesis 2002.