A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections on Student Achievement

Author: Henderson, A.T., Mapp, K.L.
Publisher: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL)
Publication Date: 2002
Publication City: Austin
Publication State: TX
Full text available online at: http://www.sedl.org/pubs/catalog/items/fam33.html

Abstract (written by WestEd)

In this 200+ page practical report written for administrators, community and school leaders, school boards, and parents, the authors synthesize 51 research studies from 1995-2002 on school, family, and community connections to student achievement. They categorize the research studies into the following areas:

• Impact of parent and community involvement on student achievement
  
• Effective strategies to connect schools, families, and community
  
• Parenting and community organizing efforts to improve schools

Within each area, the authors give an overview of their findings from the pertinent studies and provide an abstract for each study. They conclude the report with recommendations for action.

This report also reviews studies from 1974-95 that were covered in the first report in this series and comments on shifting trends and foci. Furthermore, it provides a discussion on new approaches to community organizing aimed at school reform.

Individual sections are also available for download.