Principals Matter

A Guide to School, Family, and Community Partnerships
Mavis G. Sanders - University of Maryland, Baltimore County, USA
Steven Sheldon - The Johns Hopkins University
Principals Matter
April 2009 | 160 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781452272603
Available from January 0001
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ISBN: 9781412960427
Available from January 0001

Description

"Addresses specific populations that are often alienated by schools: fathers, parents of children with disabilities, and families of poverty. It provides a good overview of key research on the topic of family involvement in schools, its impact, and practices for obtaining involvement."
—William Ruff, Assistant Professor
Montana State University

"An excellent book. Each chapter opens with relevant research and presents suggestions for practical applications. I would buy this book for a task force or professional learning community."
—Julie C. Burger, Principal
Frederick Leighton Elementary School, Oswego, NY

Build a school climate that promotes the development of successful school partnerships!

Research has shown that strong principal leadership is critical to developing effective school partnerships that include diverse school, family and community members. This book provides administrators with a clear road map for initiating partnership programs that are goal-focused, equitable, and sustainable.

In this research-based resource, the authors highlight the work of principals who have cultivated successful partnerships across many settings to show other school leaders how they can develop the necessary supportive school cultures. Examining the administrator's role in the success and quality of home-school partnerships and student outcomes, this guidebook:

  • Synthesizes research on principal leadership, school and community partnerships, and urban education reform
  • Discusses the role of fathers in children's learning and working with families that live in poverty, are linguistically diverse, or have children with disabilities
  • Offers practical recommendations for evaluating and refining partnership programs to ensure they are linked with student achievement goals

Contents

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Introduction: Standards for School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Introduction: Standards for School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Part I. Laying the Foundation

  • 1. Policy, Theory, and Research on School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Partnerships and Academic Outcomes
  • Partnerships and Nonacademic Outcomes
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • 2. Reculturing Schools for School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Schools as Community Institutions
  • Developing a Coordinated Program of School, Family, Community Partnerships
  • Principal Leadership and School Outcomes
  • Obstacles to Effective School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Steps Toward Recultured Schools
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions

Part II. Responding to Diversity

  • 3. Fathers and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Why Fathers Matter
  • Father Demographics
  • The Role of Fathers
  • Guidelines for Developing Partnership Efforts to Involve Fathers
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • 4. Families of Children With Disabilities and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • IDEA and Children With Special Needs
  • District and School Outreach to Families of Children With Disabilities
  • Specific Needs and Experiences of Families of Children With Disabilities
  • Engagement Strategies for the Families of Children With Disabilities
  • Creating Inclusive Environments for Special Needs Populations
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • 5. Linguistically Diverse Families and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Growth in Immigration and Limited English Proficient Students and Families
  • LEP Students and Families
  • LEP Students and NCLB
  • Strategies to Facilitate the Involvement of LEP Families
  • Culturally Intelligent Principal Leadership
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • 6. Families Living in Poverty and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Challenges Faced by Low-Income Families
  • Avoiding a Deficit Perspective
  • A Collaborative Approach
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions

Part III. Maximizing Outcomes

  • 7. Evaluating Programs of School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Planning an Evaluation
  • Collecting Data
  • Presenting the Findings
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • Concluding Thoughts
  • References
  • Index

Additional materials

Description

"Addresses specific populations that are often alienated by schools: fathers, parents of children with disabilities, and families of poverty. It provides a good overview of key research on the topic of family involvement in schools, its impact, and practices for obtaining involvement."
—William Ruff, Assistant Professor
Montana State University

"An excellent book. Each chapter opens with relevant research and presents suggestions for practical applications. I would buy this book for a task force or professional learning community."
—Julie C. Burger, Principal
Frederick Leighton Elementary School, Oswego, NY

Build a school climate that promotes the development of successful school partnerships!

Research has shown that strong principal leadership is critical to developing effective school partnerships that include diverse school, family and community members. This book provides administrators with a clear road map for initiating partnership programs that are goal-focused, equitable, and sustainable.

In this research-based resource, the authors highlight the work of principals who have cultivated successful partnerships across many settings to show other school leaders how they can develop the necessary supportive school cultures. Examining the administrator's role in the success and quality of home-school partnerships and student outcomes, this guidebook:

  • Synthesizes research on principal leadership, school and community partnerships, and urban education reform
  • Discusses the role of fathers in children's learning and working with families that live in poverty, are linguistically diverse, or have children with disabilities
  • Offers practical recommendations for evaluating and refining partnership programs to ensure they are linked with student achievement goals

Contents

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Introduction: Standards for School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Introduction: Standards for School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Part I. Laying the Foundation

  • 1. Policy, Theory, and Research on School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Partnerships and Academic Outcomes
  • Partnerships and Nonacademic Outcomes
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • 2. Reculturing Schools for School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Schools as Community Institutions
  • Developing a Coordinated Program of School, Family, Community Partnerships
  • Principal Leadership and School Outcomes
  • Obstacles to Effective School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Steps Toward Recultured Schools
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions

Part II. Responding to Diversity

  • 3. Fathers and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Why Fathers Matter
  • Father Demographics
  • The Role of Fathers
  • Guidelines for Developing Partnership Efforts to Involve Fathers
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • 4. Families of Children With Disabilities and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • IDEA and Children With Special Needs
  • District and School Outreach to Families of Children With Disabilities
  • Specific Needs and Experiences of Families of Children With Disabilities
  • Engagement Strategies for the Families of Children With Disabilities
  • Creating Inclusive Environments for Special Needs Populations
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • 5. Linguistically Diverse Families and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Growth in Immigration and Limited English Proficient Students and Families
  • LEP Students and Families
  • LEP Students and NCLB
  • Strategies to Facilitate the Involvement of LEP Families
  • Culturally Intelligent Principal Leadership
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • 6. Families Living in Poverty and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Challenges Faced by Low-Income Families
  • Avoiding a Deficit Perspective
  • A Collaborative Approach
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions

Part III. Maximizing Outcomes

  • 7. Evaluating Programs of School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Planning an Evaluation
  • Collecting Data
  • Presenting the Findings
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • Concluding Thoughts
  • References
  • Index

Additional materials

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Principals Matter

A Guide to School, Family, and Community Partnerships

Mavis G. Sanders , Steven Sheldon
Cancel Print

April 2009 | 160 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/01/2025 9781412960427 $40.95
Hardcover 27/02/2023 9781412960410 $79.95
Lifetime 01/01/2025 9781452272603 $37.00

"Addresses specific populations that are often alienated by schools: fathers, parents of children with disabilities, and families of poverty. It provides a good overview of key research on the topic of family involvement in schools, its impact, and practices for obtaining involvement."
—William Ruff, Assistant Professor
Montana State University

"An excellent book. Each chapter opens with relevant research and presents suggestions for practical applications. I would buy this book for a task force or professional learning community."
—Julie C. Burger, Principal
Frederick Leighton Elementary School, Oswego, NY

Build a school climate that promotes the development of successful school partnerships!

Research has shown that strong principal leadership is critical to developing effective school partnerships that include diverse school, family and community members. This book provides administrators with a clear road map for initiating partnership programs that are goal-focused, equitable, and sustainable.

In this research-based resource, the authors highlight the work of principals who have cultivated successful partnerships across many settings to show other school leaders how they can develop the necessary supportive school cultures. Examining the administrator's role in the success and quality of home-school partnerships and student outcomes, this guidebook:

  • Synthesizes research on principal leadership, school and community partnerships, and urban education reform
  • Discusses the role of fathers in children's learning and working with families that live in poverty, are linguistically diverse, or have children with disabilities
  • Offers practical recommendations for evaluating and refining partnership programs to ensure they are linked with student achievement goals

Table Of Contents:

  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Authors
  • Introduction: Standards for School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Part I. Laying the Foundation
  • 1. Policy, Theory, and Research on School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Partnerships and Academic Outcomes
  • Partnerships and Nonacademic Outcomes
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • 2. Reculturing Schools for School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Schools as Community Institutions
  • Developing a Coordinated Program of School, Family, Community Partnerships
  • Principal Leadership and School Outcomes
  • Obstacles to Effective School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Steps Toward Recultured Schools
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • Part II. Responding to Diversity
  • 3. Fathers and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Why Fathers Matter
  • Father Demographics
  • The Role of Fathers
  • Guidelines for Developing Partnership Efforts to Involve Fathers
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • 4. Families of Children With Disabilities and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • IDEA and Children With Special Needs
  • District and School Outreach to Families of Children With Disabilities
  • Specific Needs and Experiences of Families of Children With Disabilities
  • Engagement Strategies for the Families of Children With Disabilities
  • Creating Inclusive Environments for Special Needs Populations
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • 5. Linguistically Diverse Families and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Growth in Immigration and Limited English Proficient Students and Families
  • LEP Students and Families
  • LEP Students and NCLB
  • Strategies to Facilitate the Involvement of LEP Families
  • Culturally Intelligent Principal Leadership
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • 6. Families Living in Poverty and School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Challenges Faced by Low-Income Families
  • Avoiding a Deficit Perspective
  • A Collaborative Approach
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • Part III. Maximizing Outcomes
  • 7. Evaluating Programs of School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Planning an Evaluation
  • Collecting Data
  • Presenting the Findings
  • Why This Matters for Principals
  • Reflection Questions
  • Concluding Thoughts
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

I utilized bits and pieces of this text - it was not my primary text.
Ms Abbey Bolton, Educational Administration K-12, Kent State University
"The book provides a vast overview of the many key aspects of partnerships between schools, families, and communities grounded in data and research that illustrates the positive impact that strong stakeholder partnerships have on student achievement. The examples, vignettes, and stories provide rich material to illuminate the points addressed."
Belinda Gimbert, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University
"There is so much valuable information in this book that any administrator, regardless of experience, can gain huge benefits from reading it and putting into effect many of the suggested activities and programs."
Marian Hermie, Clinical Associate Professor, Arizona State University
"What sets this book apart from other school and community source books is that it addresses specific populations that are often alienated by schools: fathers, parents of children with disabilities, and families of poverty. It provides a good overview of key research on the topic of family involvement in schools, its impact, and practices for obtaining involvement."
William Ruff, Assistant Professor, Montana State University
"An excellent book. Each chapter opens with relevant research and presents suggestions for practical applications. As a principal, I would buy this book for a task force or professional learning community."
Julie C. Burger, Principal, Frederick Leighton Elementary School, Oswego, NY

Recommendations