This resource guide provides an annotated bibliography describing resources for both educators and parents in three areas of parent-professional partnerships: a) Families as advocates, b) Family roles in assessment and intervention, and c) Families as partners in student learning.

This research overview paper synthesizes findings about mismatches in expectations vis‐a‐vis traditional models of family engagement, obstacles to family engagement, and effective strategies for making connections that support positive outcomes for young children. It appears on pages 119‐171 of California’s Best Practices for Young Dual Language Learners: Research Overview Papers.

This video, the first of a two‐part series, features a teacher and a parent describing key family communication features and benefits in TS GOLD. The second video, “Aiden's Parent‐Teacher Conference” illustrates the use of TS GOLD during an actual parent‐teacher conference.

This 2016 joint policy statement from the US Departments of Education and Health and Human Services reflects the shared position that strong family engagement is central to promoting children's healthy development, school readiness, and academic achievement in elementary school and beyond. The policy statement reviews the research base, legal requirements, and best practices that support effective family engagement in children's learning, development, and wellness. It also identifies effective family engagement practices, provides recommendations, and highlights resources. An Executive Summary is available at http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/earlylearning/files/policy-statement-on-family-engagement-executive-summary.pdf

This Harvard Family Research Project brief discusses the processes (parenting, home-school relationships and responsibility for learning outcomes) that contribute to the academic achievement and social development of elementary school children, with implications for school and district policy and practice.

In need of guides to help families implement evidence-based practices at home? The AFIRM website has Home Companion Guides for Families. These resources provide information for families on EBPs like reinforcement, prompting, visual cues, time delay, and supporting peer interactions.

This guide was developed to assist family members and caregivers in building relationships with infants, toddlers and young children as well as in developing supportive plans. Look inside for both how to head off challenges and how to address them when they occur.

This guide can assist family members and caregivers in developing a plan to support young children who are using challenging behavior. Challenging behavior, typically, communicates a need to escape or avoid a person or activity or communicates a desire to obtain someone or something. Once caregivers understand the purpose or meaning of the behavior, they can begin to select strategies to change the behavior. They can do this by selecting prevention strategies, teaching new skills, and changing the way they respond to eliminate or minimize the challenging behavior. The Family Routine Guide includes strategies for the common routines and activities that occur during the family’s week.

The authors emphasize the ways in which stories may be used by family members and educators to support intellectual, language, literacy, social, and moral development. Check out this article to learn about how to use family stories as an effective part of teaching and learning.