Homework is often a hot-button issue for schools. Even with a school homework policy, the homework practices of teachers vary in quality, with some teachers applying best practice standards, while others assign homework too difficult for some students, or collect homework without providing feedback to students. In addition, families in which…

This article provides a response to Kohn's article entitled "Abusing Research: The Study of Homework and Other Examples" that appeared in the September 2006 issue of the "Kappan." There Kohn asserted that many of those who conduct research on homework and report on that research misrepresent research findings. He specifically mentioned a set of…

Interviews with 12 junior high school teachers in Toronto (Canada) and 36 parents of their students revealed that most teachers endorsed an authoritative style of joint parent-child decision making. Teacher attitudes were congruent with those of authoritative parents on some aspects of attributions for children's achievement and on specific…

This book examines how teachers and administrators can prepare themselves to create positive relationships and productive partnerships with families and communities. There are two main parts with seven chapters. The chapters include readings by outside authors. Part 1, "Understanding School, Family, and Community Partnerships," includes: (1)…

This booklet is the second in a series on educational practices that generally improve learning. Based on the view that schools can work with families to improve the curriculum of the home regardless of the family's economic situation, the booklet focuses on parents as children's first and most powerful teachers and presents principles related to…