Raising Test Scores Using Parent Involvement

Callison (educational leadership, California State University at Fullerton, emeritus) cites recent research on the influence of parent involvement on test scores, and recommends changes to take advantage of family factors. Using the PTA's National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement as a guide, he identifies programs and strategies that work and discusses opportunities for improvement. Annotation c2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

William L. Callison is an emeritus professor of Educational Leadership at California State University at Fullerton. He has been deeply involved in the parent involvement program of the Even Start Program in the Bakersfield (California) City (Elementary) School District as the evaluator for three years. Even Start is primarily a program for low income parents built around the assumption that the best way to help young children (three year olds in this program) to prepare for school is to have mothers bring their child to a two hour morning program five days a week, 45 weeks a year. The children prepare for kindergarten and the mothers learn to read and to take care of their children. The mothers also are working to pass the GED high school equivalency examination. Callison has also been involved in the creation of the Head Start Supplementary Training Program which he has also served as National Director for. This parent training effort has operated since 1966 and involves scores of small staff and parent groups in every state as they learn to be Teacher Aides in Head Start classrooms.