Research and Evaluation Team
at the Center for Collaborative Education

Provides services in educational research and program evaluation for organizations engaged in public education

Publications: Parent and Family Engagement

Family and Student Choices in Boston Public Schools (2008)

Monique Ouimette, Center for Collaborative Education
Rosann Tung, Center for Collaborative Education

This 2008 CCE study of the student assignment process in Boston finds demand for Pilot school placements far exceeds available spaces. Students who do not get their Pilot choice often leave BPS. In 2007-08, 26% of Boston families requested Pilot schools as their first choice, more than double the 11% of total school enrollment that Pilots can currently seat. Close to a third of the families who were turned down in their Pilot preference chose to leave the Boston public schools.

Full Report

Engaging Parents in an Urban Public High School: A Case Study of Boston Arts Academy (2004).

Jay Feldman, Center for Collaborative Education
Rosann Tung, Center for Collaborative Education

High parental involvement has been linked to increases in student achievement and engagement in school. Schools with large populations of low-income students or students of color often have difficulties in engaging a majority of parents due to a variety of social and cultural differences among parents and teachers. Few models of extensive parent involvement in urban, public high schools have been described. The urban public high school studied in this paper engages many parents in school-based activities through multiple events and entry points, a welcoming school environment, and frequent communication among staff and parents. By focusing on building a diverse, inclusive culture and encouraging parents to take part in the school, this high school engages parents with varied prior experiences and dispositions toward parent involvement. Several key approaches that other schools may adopt are shared in this case study.

Full Report

Parent Involvement in the Boston Pilot Schools: Lessons from a Unique Urban Network (2002)

Monique Ouimette, Center for Collaborative Education
Jay Feldman, Center for Collaborative Education
Rosann Tung, Center for Collaborative Education
Nadia Chamblin, Center for Collaborative Education
Samantha Coyne, Center for Collaborative Education

Presented at the annual meeting of the New England Educational Research Organization in April 2002. This is the first study in a series on parent involvement in the Boston Pilot Schools. It documents multiple ways that parents are involved in Pilot Schools.

Full Report