Communicating: One of the Six types of Partnerships

The Six Types

Researcher Joyce Epstein has identified six ways that schools can reach out to families and the community, known as The Six Types of Family-School-Community Partnerships. It's important to remember that every school is most likely conducting partnership activities that include some of these types; and that every partnership activity usually encompasses more than one type. Schools with the most effective partnerships offer many opportunities for parents of every student to become involved.

Type 2: Two-Way Communicating

Develop effective ways for the school to communicate with individual families, as well as all families, and for families to communicate with the school.

Sample Practices

• Sent home weekly folders of student work for parents to review
• Ask for parent feedback on school issues in weekly school newsletters
• Regularly update families on what children are learning in the classroom and how parents can help at home
• Host and regularly update school Internet sites or phone lines to inform families about homework, grades, and student progress
• Clearly inform families about course selection, making transitions to the next level, and the programs within each school
• Disseminate clear information about school rules and policies
• Survey families and publicize survey results
• Send home staff directories listing options for how and when to contact staff, and their respective areas of knowledge
• Feature language translators at all school events for families who need them. Challenges
• Establish open, flexible channels that encourage parents to communicate with the school
• Create written and oral forms of communication that are clear and accessible to all families
• Obtaining feedback from families on improving the design, content, and function of school-home communications, including newsletters, websites, and opportunities to meet.

Using the Six Types

Schools can use The Six Types as a tool to examine how each partnership activity engages families, and to focus on areas connected to school goals that need strengthening. For example, schools aiming to improve student math skills in Grade 3 may look at

• How parents share information (Type 1) and concerns with teachers about their child's performance in math
• How well the school communicates (Type 2) to families what children are learning in math
• How school volunteers (Type 3) help individual children strengthen math skills
• What parents need to help their children learn math at home (Type 4)
• Asking parents to help decide (Type 5) how written materials from the school can be clear and understandable for all families
• How community programs (Type 6) both after school and during the summer can reinforce math skills

Return to School House

For questions about this information, contact Ruth Anne Landsverk (608) 266-9757

Last updated on 10/21/2008 3:02:55 PM