Keeping History from Repeating Itself: Involving Parents about Retention Decisions to Support Student Achievement

Collaborative ventures between families and schools can result in children being successful both academically and in life (Henderson & Berla, 1994; Jackson & Davis, 2000; Mapp, 1997). The most successful predictor of student achievement is an encouraging home environment, high expectations from parents, and parental involvement (Epstein, 2001; Zellmann & Waterman, 1998). Furthermore, Epstein's (2001) Framework for a Comprehensive Program of Partnership lists six types of linkages between school, family, and community that suggest collaboration between school and home is more likely to result in benefit for a child than “separate spheres of influence” (Epstein, 1995, p. 702).