Cassandra Wolos’s scientific contributions

This research brief summarizes the latest evidence base on effective involvement for elementary school children--that is, the studies that link family involvement in elementary schools to children's academic achievement and social development. It synthesizes the outcome-based empirical research published between 1999 and 2006 that were cataloged in peer-reviewed journals found in the Family Involvement Network of Educators bibliographies. The brief also profiles programs that have been evaluated to show what works to promote family involvement in the elementary school years. The brief concludes with implications for policy, practice, and research. Method is appended. (Contains 1 figure and 61 endnotes.)

This resource guide contains annotated Web links to recent (published in and after 2000) research, information, and tools about family involvement. Family involvement involves a broad range of constructs and this is reflected in the guide, which covers resources about parenting practices to support children's learning and development, home-school relationships, parent leadership development, and collective engagement for school improvement and reform. This guide represents the work of 126 national organizations, the majority of which are in the field of education. State and local organizations whose family involvement initiatives have gained a national reach in terms of training activities, research, and program replication are also included. Resource guide organizations are listed in an appendix.