ABSTRACT
This chapter consists of four sections addressing parent, family, and community engagement in elementary school education. The first section examines the benefits of family engagement with a focus on the relationship between educators and families, the short-term benefits for the child, and the long-term benefits for the child. The second section provides information on differing cultural backgrounds of families, considering family attitudes about schooling and their influence on engagement. This section also provides an overview of diverse family structures, and the impact of community/neighborhood and school climate on engagement. The third section describes the theoretical frameworks contributing to family engagement, including the Ecological Systems Theory, the Family Systems Theory, and the School, Family, and Community Partnership Model. The fourth section presents the application of practices, focusing on methods of communication, ways in which families can participate, and how educators can support families.
