"Establishing school-family-community partnerships to promote the social, emotional, and academic learning of students is the most important challenge for 21st-century education. In this volume, leading practitioners and researchers compellingly convey the rationale and inspiration for these partnerships. They also share many practical, innovative, and effective strategies that readers can readily implement to engage partners in raising knowledgeable, responsible, caring, and contributing children." ―Roger P. Weissberg, Liberal Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor University of Illinois at Chicago Making schooling a community endeavor! Because schools are the heart and soul of a community, educational leaders have a responsibility to bring the community into the school, as well as to make the school a part of the surrounding community. This volume in the Soul of Educational Leadership series goes beyond administrative skills to examine educators′ pivotal role of leading family and community involvement in school success. With articles written by leading authorities and practitioners in the field, this resource discusses how school leaders can build successful family and community partnerships that flourish even in trying circumstances and over time. Readers will find: Contributions from Alan M. Blankstein, Pedro A. Noguera, Mavis G. Sanders, Paul D. Houston, Edward H. Moore, and others - Inspiring and unique perspectives on the interplay of family and community in school success - Ideas for engaging families as partners "Establishing school-family-community partnerships to promote the social, emotional, and academic learning of students is the most important challenge for 21st-century education. In this volume, leading practitioners and researchers compellingly convey the rationale and inspiration for these partnerships. They also share many practical, innovative, and effective strategies that readers can readily implement to engage partners in raising knowledgeable, responsible, caring, and contributing children." -- Roger P. Weissberg, Liberal Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor Published On: 2010-01-05 "This is a wonderful resource for all levels of educational leaders, new or seasoned. The foundational concepts, research-based strategies, and real-life examples offer useful information for involving families in schooling and student learning. Additionally, the attention paid to the values, attitudes, and behaviors of families is much appreciated. This is not a recipe book. Rather, it is a compilation of what matters for thoughtfully engaging all families." -- Jean West Lewis, Family and Community Outreach Specialist Published On: 2010-02-02 "It takes leadership to establish mutually respectful and responsible family-school partnerships. This book is very timely because the authors provide insight about how this leadership might take shape and offer guidance for establishing effective partnerships that engage families in the academic lives of their children. The guidance is based on real experiences in schools and districts. This book moves us forward―together." -- Jeana Preston, Director, California Parent Center Published On: 2010-02-09 "This important collection of papers by many of the nation’s educational leaders provides specific and concrete ideas that practitioners can use to support the whole school community and the whole child." -- Jonathan Cohen, President Published On: 2010-02-09 "It is rare to find a book on family and community involvement that is insightfully sensitive to the needs of parents. This book offers clear examples and methods to create authentic partnerships that will benefit everyone, especially our children.” -- Barbara Flis, Founder Published On: 2010-02-09 Paul D. Houston has established himself as one of the leading spokespersons for American education through his extensive speaking engagements, published articles, and his regular appearances on national radio and television. Formerly executive director of the American Association of School Administrators from 1994 to 2008, Houston has served as a teacher and building administrator in North Carolina and New Jersey. He has also served as assistant superintendent in Birmingham, Alabama, and as superintendent of schools in Princeton, NJ; Tucson, AZ; and Riverside, CA. Houston has served in an adjunct capacity for the University of North Carolina, Harvard University, Brigham Young University, and Princeton University. He has served as a consultant and speaker throughout the United States and overseas, and he has published more than 100 articles in professional journals. Award-winning author and educational leader, Alan Blankstein served for 25 years as President of the HOPE Foundation, which he founded and whose honorary chair is Nobel Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu. A former “high-risk” youth, Alan began his career in education as a music teacher. He worked for Phi Delta Kappa, March of