Programs tend to emphasize the traditional parent-teacher conferences, much more so than the contemporary family involvement activities. This is not to say that parent-teacher conferences are not important, it is simply to say that teachers and schools need to recognize the additional assistance that families may require. Families often need a great deal of encouragement in order to help their children with their education. Teachers need to recognize this need in order to provide the parents with specific ways to assist their children. Teachers can help parents with specifics such as homework, basic parenting education, and an increased family support service.
Teachers can increase their knowledge of family involvement issues through specific courses.
An obvious need exists for a program that would work with professional organizations to develop standards, disseminate information, and model development and evaluation regarding family involvement. This program would provide educators access to an inventory of cases as well as new case development. This dissemination and assistance may be performed by a variety of parent associations, professional teacher and school administrator organizations, and teacher training institutions. Such a tremendous network of organizations can bring a level of change that would in turn create a ripple effect throughout the entire educational system. Currently, most state policies for certification requirements mention family involvement only in general terms.