Processes and Pathways of Family-School Partnerships Across Development

This book explores research on processes that influence family-school partnerships in support of student learning and education. It highlights research related to culture, contexts, and development as families and schools work together to promote smooth transitions and academic achievement. The volume discusses research related to family and community engagement with schools, and describes the various mechanisms by which partnerships may support students’ long-term developmental outcomes and success beyond school. Each chapter sets forth a forward-thinking research agenda aimed at further understanding and implementing the processes by which family-school partnerships promote children’s healthy adjustment.

In addition to examining critical and emerging issues, this unique book also provides robust strategies, data, and rationales across the following areas:

• Cultural processes and the connections among home, school, and community.
• Family-school relationships during adolescence.
• Achievement mediators of family engagement in children’s education.
• Continuities and consistencies across home and school systems.
• Uncovering processes and pathways in family-school research.
• Strengthening networks and attachments to promote child development.

Processes and Pathways of Family-School Partnerships Across Development is a must-have resource for researchers, scientist-practitioners, and graduate students in child and school psychology, educational policy and politics, family studies, developmental psychology, sociology of education, and other interrelated disciplines.

Susan M. Sheridan, Ph.D., is a George Holmes University Professor of Educational Psychology and Director of the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, well known for her research on family-school partnerships and family engagement. She has managed numerous significant federal grants investigating the efficacy of a consultation-based partnership model, which have resulted in several publications and professional presentations. She has received several professional awards and has served in many leadership positions in the fields of school and educational psychology.

Elizabeth Moorman Kim, Ph.D., received her doctorate in Developmental Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is currently co-principal investigator of a federally funded research project examining the effects of interventions targeting parental involvement in children’s learning and family-school partnerships housed at the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research interests include family-school partnerships, parenting, and children’s motivation and achievement in school.