[YL] Making the Case for Family Involvement

[Harvard Family Research Project]

Dear Colleague: 

Harvard Family Research Project is pleased to announce the second research brief in our series “Family Involvement Makes a Difference.” This series provides evidence of family involvement's importance for children of all ages, as well as direct recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers. Visit our website to find the following new resources:

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Our newest brief, “Family Involvement in Elementary School Children's Education,” reviews research on why and how family involvement matters for elementary school children's learning and socio-emotional development. It highlights how you can use this research to promote effective policies and practices. Find this brief on our website at:
http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/projects/fine/resources/research/elementary.html

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
You can also read the first brief in the series, which reviews family involvement research and its implications in early childhood education, on our website at: http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/projects/fine/resources/research/earlychildhood.html

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL
Stay tuned for this final brief in our series, coming this summer.

FAMILY-STRENGTHENING PROGRAMS THAT WORK
While not part of the series, “Lessons from Family-Strengthening Interventions: Learning from Evidence-Based Practice” also provides valuable information about family involvement. In it, we review family-strengthening interventions that have been rigorously evaluated through experimental studies and find some common elements among programs that worked. We invite you to take another look at the brief -- first released in October 2006 -- to see our recommendations for creating successful programs and evaluations. You can find this brief online at: http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/projects/fine/resources/research/lessons.html

HARVARD FAMILY RESEARCH PROJECT AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
We are committed to meeting the growing demand for information on how to identify effective ways to support family involvement in children’s learning and development. As part of this effort we maintain the Family Involvement Network of Educators (FINE), a community of over 8,000 higher education faculty, school personnel, researchers, and community and parent groups committed to family involvement.  To learn more and to access even more family involvement resources, visit www.finenetwork.org.
	

Best regards,

Marcella Michaud
Publications and Communications Manager
Harvard Family Research Project

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Harvard Family Research Project
3 Garden Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tel: 617-495-9108
Fax: 617-495-8594
Email: hfrp at gse.harvard.edu
http://www.hfrp.org

ABOUT HFRP

Since 1983, we have helped stakeholders develop and evaluate strategies to promote the well being of children, youth, families, and communities. Our work focuses primarily on three areas that support children's learning and development -- early childhood education, out-of-school time programming, and family and community support in education. We also strive to focus national attention on complementary learning, which occurs when two or more institutions link with each other to improve children's outcomes. Underpinning this work is our commitment to evaluation for strategic decision making, learning, and accountability. For more information on HFRP, visit www.hfrp.org.
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