Involving Parents in Schools by Bill Lucas

Introduction     2
Understanding parents' needs
Lack of confidence     4
Educational jargon and gobbledegook     6
Advance planning     8
Complex families     10
Frequently asked questions     12
Getting better at communicating
The front desk     14
Letters and emails     16
Newsletters and e-zines     18
Notice boards and displays     20
Telephone contact     22
Homework diaries     24
Reports     26
Assessment for Learning     28
Websites     30
Making parents welcome
Signage and physical space     32
The reception experience     34
Parent/teacher meetings     36
Demonstration lessons     38
Family days     40
The home/school agreement     42
Primary v secondary     44
Different kinds of parental involvement     46
Providing practical support
Clubs     48
Parent workshops     50
Helping parents to become learning coaches     52
Helping parents create learning homes     54
Helping parents discover classrooms on their doorsteps     56
Behaviour management     58
Help with literacy     60
Help with numeracy     62
School transitions     64
Gateways to specialist services     66
Developing roles for parents
Occasional help     68
Lunchtimes     70
School trips     72
Parent representatives and councils     74
Parents as mentors     76
Teaching Assistants     78
PTA     80
Parent governors     82
Parents as lifelong learners     84
Reaching parents who are turned off from schools
How people get turned off from learning     86
Second languages     88
Family learning outreach activities     90
Extended schooling     92
The school of the future     94
Further reading     96