SEDL Strategy Brief Focuses on Engaging Families at the Secondary Level

August 17, 2005
Austin, TX 

Contact:
 Leslie Blair
 Communications Associate
 Phone: 800-476-6861, ext. 205
 E-mail: lblair@sedl.org

Contrary to popular belief, research indicates that teenagers do want their parents and families involved in their lives. And contrary to what many educators believe, research has also found that parents—regardless of their economic status or background—want to be involved in their teenagers' lives. Despite these positive findings, many secondary schools struggle with family involvement issues. One of the problems schools face is finding the balance between family involvement that allows teenagers autonomy and respect, but also meets the needs of families and schools. 

"What changes as children get older is the kind of involvement," says Catherine Jordan, a Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) program manager. Jordan, who is director of SEDL's National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools, reports, "It's no longer about assisting with homework, eating lunch at school, volunteering as reading tutors, or simply just being present at school. As children grow and mature, the way their parents interact with their schools changes as well."

The National Center has released a new strategy brief, Engaging Families at the Secondary Level. It presents findings that suggest secondary schools should design family involvement programs that help develop students' skills in specific subjects and steer students toward more challenging classes. It also provides strategies for engaging parents in ways that help improve student achievement.

The brief is available online at http://www.sedl.org/connections/research-briefs.html .