Family-School Partnerships in Elementary School: Working Together For Kids

Decades of research have documented the positive effects of family-school partnerships on elementary school children, regardless of backgrounds and needs. To support children’s learning and development, educators should strive to set high expectations for family-school partnerships, and shared responsibility for student success. Meaningful collaboration between home and school should be viewed as a necessity rather than a luxury. This guide provides an overview of the benefits of family-school partnerships as well as suggestions for how teachers and other school personnel can promote strong partnerships. We offer tips for promoting partnerships with diverse family groups and challenging contexts common in Nebraska. However, not all family situations can be addressed in this brief, therefore we also offer a list of additional resources including information on abuse and addiction. In this guide we use the terms family and parent to refer to caregivers including guardians, extended family, and close friends.

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