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Overview
There has been and continues to be extensive research conducted on the value of parent involvement in student achievement. Time after time, research has shown that the involvement of parents and families in education is critical to student achievement, and is, in fact, one of the only factors that can overcome the disadvantage of poverty.
Harvard Family Research Project
The most current and ongoing research in the area of parent involvement is by the Harvard School of Education and its Harvard Family Research Project. This project includes a forum called the Family Involvement Network for Educators (FINE) which works with schools to help the school-family partnership and publishes a regular newsletter, for which you can sign up to receive by email for free.
National Network of Partnership Schools, Johns Hopkins University
One of the most notable researchers on parent involvement is Dr. Joyce Epstein, Director of the National Network of Partnership Schools, which brings together schools, districts, and states that are committed to developing and maintaining comprehensive programs of school-family-community partnerships. This collaborative project involves school districts and parent organizations across the country, including the National PTA. Each place parent involvement as a vitally important piece of the student success puzzle and believe in sharing their best practices with others.
Institute for Education and Social Policy, New York University
Another major research source is NYU's Institute for Education and Social Policy, which works to strengthen public education in urban areas across the nation, especially in low-income neighborhoods and high-minority communities. They have published extensive research reports which aren't too full of edu-speak and are available in both English and Spanish.
Want to do some research on your own? Try out the search mechanism on Education Resources Information Center and type in "Parent Involvement." You can add on other words to get more specific in your results.
