Parent trigger not on the top of parent-involvement expert’s list of best practices is the headline of a column at the Tampa Bay newspaper in Florida (where an attempt is being made to pass a trigger law).

It quotes parent involvement researcher Joyce Epstein, who says:

“That would not be first on our list of what we know should be done to engage families to support their students’ success,” said Johns Hopkins University professor Joyce Epstein, director of the National Network of Partnership Schools.

Epstein said legislation directing who can make choices is mechanical, while the “more difficult task” of creating programs that help families work with schools. Her organization’s research has found eight “essential elements” for effective leadership and programs of school, family, and community partnerships. These include: leadership, teamwork, action plans, implementation of plans, funding, collegial support, evaluation, and networking.

“We help district assist their schools in organized, equitable and goal-oriented family involvement programs, things families and schools can work on together positively,” Epstein said. “For immediate solutions, these are stronger approaches that engage families in ways to help children do better.”