A framework for family engagement : Going beyond the Epstein Framework

Abstract

This paper proposes a new framework for schools to use in evaluating and supporting their work around parental engagement. The paper begins by briefly examining the concept of parental engagement and moves on to an examination of the Epstein framework, which is the most widely used framework. This framework was first proposed in the last century, and the paper notes the advances in our understanding of parental engagement since that time. The paper concludes by offering a new framework to replace the one currently most often used. An appendix gives a practitioner’s version of the framework to enable planning and evaluation.