This handbook defines and clarifies family and community engagement. The handbook also addresses why and how families, communities, and schools collaborate with one another. The chapters in this Handbook sketch out the components of a theory of change for the family and community engagement field. Guiding questions during the creation of the handbook were:

What is family and community engagement ultimately in service of?

What do families know and do differently when this work is successful?

What educational policies and practices will help us realize these changes?

This web-based publication presents research-based family and community engagement models designed to close achievement gaps, increase graduation rates and improve the well-being of children. The publication addresses:

• Collaborative Leadership
• Designing Successful Programs
• Academic Learning
• Youth Development
• Family Engagement Support
• Health and Social Services
• Community Partnerships
• Evaluation
• Planning for Sustainablilty

This publication provides a systematic process to increase family and community involvement in schools. The toolkit contains:

• The Self-Assessment of Family and Community Involvement Practices
• The Family and Community Engagement in Schools Action Plan
• The School-Family-Community Resource Guide

The self-assessment reviews the eight essential elements of effective family and community involvement. Upon completion of the assessment, the collaborative team will analyze the results to develop an action plan for improvement. The action plan will include:

• Strategy(ies)
• Resources Needed
• Person(s) Responsible
• Completion Date

A resource guide is also include which contains resources to aide in the implementation of the strategies developed in the action plan.