At the same time, however, there are signs that connections between schools and families can be made stronger. Whatever their struggles, parents from all walks of life want their children to succeed and want to work with schools to achieve that success. We know how parents can help educate their children for success in school and in the future. Many families are already doing this, and with encouragement and help, many more can do the same. Schools can and do play a key role in strengthening these connections.
Parents turn to schools for guidance.
When teachers and administrators are commited to drawing in parents, student achievement improves. As this paper has shown, a number of promising initiatives have demonstrated innovative ways to bring more families into the education process. Through these efforts and others like them, schools stand to gain even greater support of parents and see more student progress. The complexity of raising and educating children today requires support from all parts of the community. Programs sponsored by community groups and businesses, religious institutions, community-service organizations, and human service agencies are important in strengthening links between families and schools.