九年一貫課程的精神為創新教學，目的在透過創新的教學來讓學生養成創新的思維。然而，創新思維的養成不能單靠學校就能達成。學生在家庭的時間佔三分之二，因此家庭與學校必須合作，才能達成教育的目標—即每個學生的成功。 本研究首先分析家長參與的相關文獻，發現目前家長參與的論文是針對家長、學校、或教師做個別的研究，未從三者統合的觀點探討，因此本研究乃從Swap的「家庭—學校夥伴關係模式」（home-school partnership model）出發，期以整合的方式來研究家長參與。 「家庭—學校夥伴關係模式」（home-school partnership model）是指由家長與教育家組成聯盟，以促進優良的學校與學生。此「夥伴關係」（partnership）有特殊的意義，它是包含長期的約定、相互尊重、家庭與教育者廣泛參與各層次的活動，且共享規劃、決策的責任。在夥伴關係模式中，家長參與並非被視為附加物，而被視為學校改革不可或缺的部分。Swap指出發展夥伴關係的四個要素為創造雙向溝通、強調在校與在家的學習、提供支持與共同決策，因此本研究採取質性研究的方式，針對三所學校的家長、教師與行政人員進行深度訪談，並以家庭—學校夥伴關係模式的四要素來分析研究對象，以瞭解此三學校的家長參與情況是否符合家庭—學校夥伴關係模式，最後分別對三所學校的家長參與提出建議。 本文的研究發現，B國小家長參與最接近夥伴關係模式，其次依序為A國小、C國小。A、C國小家長參與的困境主要原因在於觀念未改變，家長視自己為學校的「協助者」，而非「夥伴」，教師則對家長參與仍有疑慮。因此，欲推動家庭—學校夥伴關係模式，則A、C國小應加強內部的溝通，以對家長參與形成共識，再與家長溝通、邀請家長成為教育的夥伴。

The purpose of this study was to examine specific parenting practices in four East Tennessee counties to determine their relationships, if any, to student achievement among various demographic groups. The investigation included status variables, such as parents' educational level, annual income level, and family structure. Students' Normal Curve Equivalent scores on the Terra Nova Standardized Test were used to measure student achievement. The Epstein (1987) typologies were used to classify parent involvement modalities. The analysis consisted of four research questions and were tested at the .05 level of significance. Pearson's product-moment, Spearman's rho, and Kendall's Tau B correlation coefficients were used to analyze the degree of relationship between Epstein's six typologies and student achievement. A t-test was used to describe the relationship between student achievement and the number of parents in the home. One-way Analyses of Variance were used to describe the relationships between student achievement and parents' educational and income levels. Kruskal Wallis tests were used to analyze differences in parental involvement by the number of parents in the home, parental income, and education levels. A Hierarchical Regression Analysis was also used to determine the extent to which parents' income, educational levels, and family structure assist in predicting student achievement. The sample consisted of 413 students in grade 4 in four counties in East Tennessee. Two schools were selected from each county as a representative sample of the population. The results of this study indicate significant relationships between student achievement and the parental involvement typologies of volunteering, learning at home, decision-making, and collaborating with the community. The relationships between student achievement and parental involvement in conjunction with parents' educational and income levels were also significant. Both parental involvement typologies and family demographics emphasize goals which are achieved most effectively when families and schools work together.

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the understandings and perceptions that West Indian parents and caregivers residing in the U.S. have about U.S. public schools. A second purpose of this study was to examine the consistency between these findings and the cultural-ecological theory advanced by Ogbu (1974) which posits that immigrant minorities to the U.S. hold different perceptions and expectations in relation to U.S. schools. Using interviews with 13 families in the Tampa Bay area, the study examined West Indian parents' and caregivers' understanding of the American public schooling process, expectations for education, role beliefs, and roles they played in their children's schooling. Several themes emerged from the interviews regarding these areas. These themes included: families viewed education in very instrumental ways (a finding that aligned with Ogbu's cultural-ecological theory), families had overwhelmingly positive perceptions of resources and opportunities offered by U.S. public schools, and most families were satisfied with the home-school relationship. A minority of families described negative relationships with schools. In addition, families reported that they believed school-based involvement was important. However, they reported very low levels of school-based involvement, but high levels of home-based involvement. Obstacles to parent involvement included logistical barriers, and lack of familiarity with the U.S. school system. Implications of the findings for school personnel are discussed and suggestions for further research are offered.

This research examined the impact on parents and carers of having a child placed at a residential special school for abused, neglected and traumatised primary aged children. The school is developing its work with families and carers, because if relationships at home are improved, children are more likely to benefit from the placement at Stowbury. Although it is the child who is referred, establishing a good working relationship with parents and carers is vital in helping them with their child’s return home. The study focused on parental experiences of the child’s first year at the school, using interviews at the start of placement and then twelve months later. The data were analysed using a comparative thematic analysis at two time points and a secondary narrative analysis. Researcher reflexivity is used and where appropriate the findings are discussed from a psychoanalytic perspective. The analysis found that during the first year the children make positive changes. Birth parents were helped with their parenting, particularly the (re)establishment of parental boundaries. In contrast, some foster carers found it difficult to share the parenting role, and tensions between home and school were identified. Some parents and carers found it difficult to reflect on their role and relationship with their child. In general, parents and carers expected their child to be able to go to mainstream school when they left Stowbury, and after one year some realised that was unlikely. The study concludes that the experience of foster carers could be improved if they were helped to increase their ability to reflect on their parenting role. In addition, sharing the parenting of this group of children can cause tension between parents, carers and staff. There are training implications for the professionals involved. This research makes an original contribution to knowledge about the psychodynamics that develop in the relationships between the parents, carers and staff looking after abused children in a residential school.

Parental involvement is a combination of commitment and active participation from parents to the school and to the student. Parental involvement defines the family’s role as educator and the crucial importance of family involvement to students’ success in schools. Some researchers and practitioners consider positive parental involvement the most prominent predictor of student success. Parents can increase children’s academic success through involvement with schools and communities. Parental involvement improves student morale, attitudes, and academic achievement across all subject areas. The purpose of this study was to examine the views of parents, students, teachers, and administrators concerning parental involvement in four high schools in a rural East Tennessee county. The study also attempted to determine if the views of these parents, students, teachers, and administrators are consistent with published reports on parent involvement. Data were collected from administrators, students, parents, and teachers through an open-ended interview format designed by the researcher. The findings from this study offer a number of recommendations regarding how high schools can develop partnership programs that involve families in ways that go beyond their participating as audience or witness to their children’s schooling to their participating as partners with the school in promoting teen’s learning. Participants desired effective home/school communications as well as a home environment that encouraged learning activities and suggested effective ways volunteers could be used at the high school level. Major recommendations include high schools forging connections with all families and providing options to increase their involvement at school as well as at home; establishing formal parent support organizations; developing partnerships that strengthen school-family relationships through authentic dialogue, collaboration, and mutual respect between families and educators; increasing opportunities for home/school communication; and creating a learning community where school personnel, students, parents, and community members view themselves as stakeholders.

No description available.

What is the nature and purpose of Family Learning? The discourses relating to how a strong home-school relationship affects attitudes to Lifelong Learning and the impact of paternal involvement in young children's development have been well researched and document clear links and positive, enduring benefits for families and professionals. In spite, or perhaps because of this focus, the means by which these connections are achieved and maintained remains less well explored. The issues that need addressing now are more tangible challenges, such as: what does good practice look like, who decides which notions are consolidated, when and why? Coupled with questions such as how do we get more fathers more involved and what will enable these relationships to flourish, this research reports on the initial findings from a small-scale exploratory inquiry, conducted as part of a professional doctorate, which considers a possible approach to these issues. It is an illuminative case study, located within an interpretive research paradigm, based on ontological assumptions of empowerment and emancipation for participants. A sociocultural epistemology informs and frames the work. The study sets out to explore the value and potential of Family Learning as a means of focused intervention in response to the questions raised, whilst also examining and increasing awareness of the issues involved, as seen by participants, to facilitate the expression of paternal agency and voice within the research process. The data collection, conducted over a period of six months, focuses on an existing Fathers’ Group, as they participate in a Family Learning project. It seeks to establish the nature and purpose of this type of provision, by clarifying the processes, outcomes and determinants of involvement through the eyes of the fathers, as they define and ultimately come to terms with their own identity and roles, in relation to their young children's development. The research centres on two workshops supported by several participant-led focus meetings. Two semi-structured staff interviews offer insight into the role that both professional and personal cultural and historical understandings of Family Learning play in the process, whilst the data analysis illuminates and describes the relationships between parents and practitioners, policy and pedagogy. The research observations could be used to inform approaches to both the establishment and the development of individual, personalised family frameworks for Lifelong Learning. The findings may also contribute towards a fresh perspective and offer creative approaches for professionals, in which pedagogical practice is not pre-determined but constantly evolving, on an equal and collaborative basis, between professionals and participants. This study offers a critical examination of grassroots Family Learning in practice. It is firmly embedded within and responsive to the needs of its local community. It aims to provide independent evidence to reinforce and extend the current knowledge base and ultimately, to maintain, strengthen and expand the connections between Family and Lifelong Learning.

The problem which this researcher investigated centered around the motivational factors which caused parents to educate their children at home. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors as perceived to cause families to home school their children. This study of home school education offered the opportunity to examine the dynamics within home schooling families as they conducted a non-traditional educational alternative. The study may provide information and insight to assist public school policy makers in considering inclusion of program components presently perceived as missing. Two home school associations in upper East Tennessee responded to a home school questionnaire. The data from the questionnaire presented a demographic overview of home school families and indicated the motivational factors for home schooling as opposed to enrollment in public schools. Six research questions were answered, and twelve hypotheses were tested using the Chi Square Test of Independence. The Chi Square Analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between the academic achievement in math of home school children and the types of curriculums used by parents. The Chi Square Analysis revealed no statistically significant relationship between the academic achievement of home school children and the types of group activities used by parents, and the hindrance of current state home school laws The results indicate that parents chose to home school their children because they felt it was the responsibility of parents to provide a child's education, and to control the moral environment of the child. Public school system personnel should make an effort to acquire information from registered home school families as to the causes and reasons families are opting to leave public education.

This study aimed at exploring the school effectiveness characteristics of two high schools, one with high (School A) and one with low (School B) levels of placement ratio in &Ouml / SS for their graduates, to observe their characteristics as perceived by their stakeholders (students, teachers, parents, school administrative staff and managers). In this study, a comparative pre-structured case study method was employed. The study was conducted in two private high schools in the province of Ankara, Turkey. The participants were 10 students, 10 teachers, 10 parents, 2 non-academic staff and 3 administrators from School A, and 10 students, 10 teachers, 7 parents, 3 non-academic staff and 2 administrators from School B. A framework drawn by the researcher as a result of review of relevant literature was used to conceptualize the study and to guide the interview schedules to collect data. According to this framework, six general areas in effective school literature were explored. These areas were academic emphasis, organization and administration, school climate, home-school relations, teaching staff, and physical and financial resources. The data collected through semi-structured interviews were analyzed using content analysis technique. The findings revealed that two case schools had major differences almost in all areas explored. The only major similarity between two schools was in the leadership and leader qualities under organization and administration area. The effective school characteristics of the school with high levels of placement ratio in &Ouml / SS, in all six areas explored were added to the conceptual framework drawn at the beginning of the study.

Parent-teacher communication is a key element of parent-teacher relationship and of family involvement. Such communication influences children's wellbeing and academic success. There are many gaps in the literature regarding the dynamics of parent-teacher communication and how this influences family and school literacy practices. Using a qualitative design, this case study focused on the communication of a family from a culturally and linguistically diverse background and the children's teachers. The study examined the conceptions of communication and perspectives on parent-teacher communication of a mother and three teachers. The study also examined the diverse ways they communicated literacy practices and expectations to one another and the outcomes derived from their communication. Findings of this study revealed that parent-teacher communication is a complex process influenced by multiple factors related to the microsystems of school and home and the varied ways they interact. The study found a disconnection between parent and teacher communication conceptions and approaches.