Volunteering: One of the Six types of Partnerships

The Six Types

Researcher Joyce Epstein has identified six ways that schools can reach out to families and the community, known as The Six Types of Family-School-Community Partnerships. It's important to remember that every school is most likely conducting partnership activities that include some of these types; and that every partnership activity usually encompasses more than one type. Schools with the most effective partnerships offer many opportunities for parents of every student to become involved.

Type 3: Volunteering

Gain participation from all families in children's learning at home and school and from the community-at-large.

Sample Practices

• Conduct an annual survey to identify interests, talents, and availability of volunteers. Disseminate results of survey.
• Recognize contributions of those who volunteered time, talent, and treasure to children's learning.
• Provide a variety of learning-oriented opportunities for students, families, and community members to contribute, at various times and locations.
• Develop a family center to house family resources, meetings, and workspaces.

Challenge

• Recruit, train, and engage as volunteers anyone who wants to support children's learning in any way they are able.

Using the Six Types

Schools can use The Six Types as a tool to examine how each partnership activity engages families, and to focus on areas connected to school goals that need strengthening. For example, schools aiming to improve student math skills in Grade 3 may look at

• How parents share information (Type 1) and concerns with teachers about their child's performance in math
• How well the school communicates (Type 2) to families what children are learning in math
• How school volunteers (Type 3) help individual children strengthen math skills
• What parents need to help their children learn math at home (Type 4)
• Asking parents to help decide (Type 5) how written materials from the school can be clear and understandable for all families
• How community programs (Type 6) both after school and during the summer can reinforce math skills

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For questions about this information, contact Ruth Anne Landsverk (608) 266-9757

Last updated on 10/21/2008 3:04:44 PM