No matter their race, ethnicity, culture, or income, most families have high aspirations and concerns for their children’s success. This is one of the findings in the latest research synthesis from the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory’s (SEDL) National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools. The synthesis, Diversity: School, Family, and Community Connections, is the third in a series of reviews of research on key educational issues.
The synthesis reviews over sixty-four studies on the roles that families can play in improving academic achievement of minority, immigrant, and lanugage minority students, and students from low-income families. The report also explores challenges to involvement for minority and low-income families and strategies that have been used to address those challenges. Several recommendations are made that educational leaders can use or adapt to address their specific needs. Two of the studies reviewed were conducted by NNPS researcher Dr. Mavis Sanders.
Copies of the research synthesis can be ordered or downloaded for free by visiting SEDL’s web site at www.sedl.org.