With them, schools can reach out to all families and help involve them in their children's education. Some of the strategies are widely used, such as the fall open house and parent-teacher conferences. Others, like parent resource centers and positive phone calls, are much less common. Within each strategy, suggestions for action are made. These are based on broad experience, which can help even seasoned teachers, principals, and district officials do a better job of making their schools family-friendly.
Many parents prepare their children well for school on their own and contact the schools as needed.
Working with such parents requires little effort. But there are many others who want to help their children learn more, yet do not come to school. Job and family demands leave little free time for many parents. Others who stay away tend to be racial and ethnic minorities, and those who have less income and less ease with the English language. In growing up they may also have had negative school experiences.