Family Literacy Partnerships: Promoting Student Achievement by Connecting Home and School

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to discuss effective practices for connecting home and school environments in order to facilitate the literacy development of students. Families should be included in the school environment as they have a wealth of information about their children that can improve the teacher's instruction. Merging the learning environments of the home and school can facilitate a connection between many types of knowledge and provide opportunities to improve literacy skills in several contexts. This paper describes methods for connecting the home and school to create learning environments that are conducive to literacy development. Curriculum and instructional strategies that can be used in both contexts are also discussed, as well as assessment procedures for understanding student knowledge and evaluating program effectiveness. Benefits to the student as a developing learner as well as to families and schools are also outlined. Considerations for practical implementation of family literacy partnerships are also addressed in order to provide suggestions for utilizing family resources effectively in the classroom to promote student achievement.