MetLife Foundation awarded the Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships a grant for 08-09 to increase the number and quality of programs of family and community partnerships in districts and schools across the country. In making the award, Sibyl Jacobson, President and CEO of MetLife Foundation noted, “NNPS has connected research and effective practice in ways that educators recognize, value, and use.” The grant will strengthen NNPS research-based tools and training, help more districts and schools implement programs of family and community involvement, and support new directions for leadership on partnerships.
Improve Information and Training
Support from MetLife Foundation will enable NNPS to continue and expand major communications and connections with districts, schools, states, and organizations. This includes Type 2, Promising Partnership Practices 2009, Partnership Awards, Leadership Development Conference, District Leadership Institute, NNPS website, web conferences, and other benefits and services. NNPS Facilitators offer these and other professional development tools, trainings, and on-call consultations to all members.
Invest in New Paths to Partnership
MetLife Foundation also will support new projects to advance partnerships in schools, districts, states, and organizations, including colleges and universities.
Improve the homework process. The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher: The Homework Experience (2007) found that a large majority of teachers (83%), parents (81%), and students (77%) reported that homework was of value for students’ success in school. But many students and parents also complained that some homework was “busywork,” and many teachers suggested needed improvements in homework. With MetLife Foundation’s support, NNPS will develop new approaches for district curriculum leaders and teachers to improve the homework process and to implement Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork (TIPS) interactive homework. The grant also will help NNPS create modules and materials on homework for preservice and advanced college courses for future teachers and administrators.
Increase leadership for partnerships. NNPS will identify new leaders for partnerships in various organizations and plan professional development approaches for these designated leaders to scale up partnership programs with their constituents. The goal is to enable appropriate organizations to guide clusters of districts and their schools to implement and sustain goal-linked programs of family and community involvement that contribute to student success in school.
“MetLife Foundation’s longstanding interests in improving schools and expanding partnerships match the goals of our Center and NNPS,” said director Joyce Epstein. “We know this will be an exciting and productive venture.”