ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes how educators in schools, districts, and states should develop policies and programs of partnership that improve schools, strengthen families, and help more students succeed, and how new teachers, principals, counselors, and others who work in schools and with families might be prepared to conduct effective partnership practices. It also explores how researchers could contribute new knowledge that will help policy leaders and practitioners with their work. The chapter builds on Reading 5.1 with a detailed discussion of the structure and activities of school-based Action Teams for Partnerships (ATP). The ATP is the "action arm," official committee, or work group of a school improvement team or school council. The chapter also summarizes the central themes and major conclusions about school, family, and community partnerships that have been presented in the readings, discussions, and activities throughout the volume. Program plans and practices must be based on key principles that get to the heart of the matter.
