Spring, 2001, No. 10 National Network of Partnership Schools
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Evaluations Help Districts and Schools Improve the Quality of Partnerships
Disney Learning Partnership Continues as NNPS Partner
Evaluations Help Districts and Schools Improve the Quality of Partnerships
Longitudinal UPDATE data from over 80 districts and over 500 schools in the National Network of Partnership Schools indicate that when districts and schools evaluate their partnership programs, they improve the quality of their work from one year to the next. The findings confirm that evaluation is one essential element of successful program development.
Network researchers Joyce Epstein, Laurel Clark, and Frances Van Voorhis analyzed 1999 UPDATE data from school districts. Leaders who evaluated their work reported that their districts experienced fewer obstacles to developing their partnership programs, more collegial support, and higher quality partnership programs, overall. After accounting for the districts’ 1998 measures, districts that evaluated their programs significantly increased the number and quality of district-level leadership activities, and more actively facilitated their schools’ Action Teams for Partnerships.
Network researchers Steven Sheldon and Frances Van Voorhis found that elementary, middle, and high schools that evaluated their work improved the quality of their partnership programs from 1999 to 2000. The analyses accounted for the influential variables of school level (elementary or secondary), the extent of collegial support, and the prior year’s program quality—all of which affect program quality over time. Even with these variables statistically controlled, leaders in schools that evaluated their programs reported more parent volunteers, more parent representatives on school committees, and more teachers who assigned homework that encouraged parent-child interactions.
The researchers explained, “Evaluations not only are conducted in high quality programs, but also help to improve the quality of partnership programs over time.” The two studies suggest that when districts and schools take their work on school, family, and community partnerships seriously enough to conduct evaluations, they are likely to use the results to improve their plans and activities for the next school year.
At this time of year, all schools, districts, states, and organizations in the National Network of Partnership Schools are expected to conduct two short, but powerful evaluations. First, schools should use the End-of-Year Evaluation* (see Handbook, p. 137-143) to reflect on how well they succeeded in implementing their One-Year Action Plans. Districts and states should review their annual Leadership Plans for Partnerships, and assess their progress, successes, and needed improvements.
Second, schools, districts, states, and organizations in the Network should use the 2001 UPDATE survey, which will be sent in early April, to reflect on this year’s program quality, support, funding, actions, and outreach. UPDATE must be returned to the Network to renew membership for 2001-2002, but before sending it in, members should use UPDATE as a tool to discuss key features and needs of their programs.
All members of the Network should use the results of these two assessments to write more focused, goal-oriented plans for partnerships for 2001-2002. These three steps—evaluate, write better plans, and implement the planned activities—ensure that the quality of family and community involvement will improve from year to year.
*Members may contact the Network for an alternative End-of-Year Evaluation form to assess goal-oriented partnership programs. E-mail nnps@csos.jhu.edu and ask for the End-of-Year Evaluation Form B.
Disney Learning Partnership Continues as NNPS Partner
Disney Learning Partnership renewed its grant to the National Network of Partnership Schools to support the work of schools, districts, and states across the country. “We are pleased with the growth of the Network. Its products are helping education leaders ‘think new’ about family and community involvement for student success,” said Laurie Lang, Senior Vice President of Disney Learning Partnership.
The grant supports the Network’s staff and the development and dissemination of tools, materials, and services that guide the work of all members. These include Type 2, the Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork (TIPS) interactive homework program, an ever-expanding website, the annual collection of Promising Partnership Practices, the Partnership Awards program, leadership development workshops for new members, extra assistance for state and district leaders, and for middle and high schools, evaluation activities, upcoming videos, and more.
“Disney Learning Partnership is very important to the success of the National Network,” Director Joyce Epstein explained. “It enables us to develop research-based approaches for use by a growing number of schools, districts, and states. Our work with Disney is helping hundreds of thousands of educators, families, and students work better together.”
