Preparing Educators to Involve Families From Theory to Practice

′This book is a valuable resource for my course because I want students to think deeply about issues affecting children and families and to be advocates for them. Without serious reflection about systems theory, students are not able to move beyond simplistic solutions. The author does a superb job in conveying the book′s usefulness′ - Leo R. Sandy, Plymouth State University

′The authors frame the issues well, integrate the literature, and place the cases in theoretical perspective. The cases have the virtue of being grounded in experience. It is jargon free. The sections are crisp. It′s very readable. It′s a good starting point for further research′ - Helen M. Marks, Ohio State University

′This is a thought-provoking and dynamic text that brings to light many key issues facing today′s educators′ - Amy J. Malkus, East Tennessee State University

′This book is guaranteed to engage the reader in thoughtful consideration of their role in family involvement and the important role played by parents and children themselves′ - Ithel Jones, Florida State University

The goal of Preparing Educators to Involve Families: From Theory to Practice is to help prepare teachers and other professionals to partner effectively with the families of children in elementary school. The book pairs perspectives on child development with teaching cases that reflect critical dilemmas of practice in family-school-community relations, especially among families for whom poverty and cultural differences are daily realities.

Readers are encouraged to link theory and practice, honing their analytic and problem-solving skills through the application of theory to the real-life situations of school children and the key individuals and contexts in their lives and learning.