Fostering Standards of the Heart Through Family and Community
Involvement
Characteristic 3: Family and Community Involvement
Rationale and Principles for Implementing Characteristics of
Successful Schools
Rationale:
Study after study show the importance of parents being
involved in their child’s education. Part of that
educational process is a partnership between parents,
schools, and the community working to ensure schools are
healthy and safe places to be. Schools must address issues
such as school discipline, violence, vandalism, truancy,
alcohol and other drugs(AOD), and other critical youth risk
behaviors in partnership with parents and the community.
Families, with the support of schools, help children meet
life’s challenges and become healthy and productive
citizens.
Principles:
Be a resource to families in establishing home
environments to support children as students and citizens.
Design effective forms of communication between and among
school, home, and community.
Create opportunities for parent and community involvement
and support.
Provide ideas to families and communities about how to
help students work toward citizenship goals at home and in
the community.
Include parents and community members who represent the
whole community in citizenship program planning and decision
making.
Identify and integrate resources and services from all
aspects of the community to strengthen citizenship efforts.
Expected Results of a Citizenship Initiative
Students Will
Staff Will
Families and Community Will
Make meaningful connections with more adults
Demonstrate good citizenship outside the
school
Feel their role as a citizen is valued and
supported by the home, school, and community
Welcome and encourage their family’s
participation in school
Feel supported by the community
Gain new partners in the education of
students and development of citizens
Communicate more effectively with families
Have more options for developing community
learning activities
Better understand school goals/ curriculum
Have opportunities for involvement and
communication with the school
Learn about and share ideas for helping
children succeed in school
Better understand the role of the school as
a partner in developing good citizens