About Family-School-Community Partnerships

When schools partner with parents and community organizations, there are positive results.  “Families, schools, and community organizations all contribute to student achievement; the best results come when all three work together.”  - Mapp & Henderson

Families, schools and communities share responsibility for the academic achievement of all students. Family-school-community partnerships utilize family support principles and community collaboration strategies.  They:

• emphasize effective communication among partners,
• provide opportunities for trust and respect to grow,
• improve the quality of family participation with their children in schools,
• build linkages among families, schools and community organizations, and
• make more effective use of community resources.

In these partnerships parents of children enrolled in school are involved with school administrators, teachers and support staff and community stakeholders such as health and human service organizations, faith-based organizations, community and economic development groups, service clubs, and residents.

Partnering together, they create action plans that build on the assets of the community and all its stakeholders. They engage families, teachers and administrators as well as community members to design a family-friendly school environment.  

No Child Left Behind requires schools to develop effective parent involvement practices.  It invites parents to share the responsibility for their children’s academic success by being more involved with schools. Community organizations and residents have resources that support both school staff and families in these efforts. The PA PIRC provides training and consultation services that support the growth and development of Family-School-Community Partnerships.

PA PIRC offers three unique services to promote parent involvement and student achievement through F-S-C partnerships:

1. “Working Together for Student Success: The Importance of NCLB for Families” provides basic information about NCLB (No Child Left Behind) requirements, and identifies successful family and community engagement practices. This presentation may be made at your school, community recreation center or other locations. 
2. Solid Foundations © is available to selected schools in Pennsylvania. This family-school partnership model includes a comprehensive needs assessment, guidance to create an action plan that addresses that school community’s goals, and support with implementation efforts.
3. Workshops, materials and technical assistance are available regionally.  The content and support services are designed to help family members, school staff and community organization staff work together effectively to support children’s development and academic success and to produce stronger communities.