Epstein's Six Types of Parent Involvement 
Epstein's Six Types of Parent Involvement
In what ways can we build bridges of family involvement to enhance student success?
This summary of Epstein's framework was prepared by the Office of Community Relations in the Naperville, IL school district (n.d.).
TYPE 1: PARENTING
Assist families with parenting and child-rearing skills, understanding child and adolescent development, and setting home conditions that support children as students at each age and grade level. Assist schools in understanding families.
TYPE 2: COMMUNICATING
Communicate with families about school programs and student progress through effective school-to-home and home-to-school communications.
TYPE 3: VOLUNTEERING
Improve recruitment, training, work, and schedules to involve families as volunteers and audiences at the school or in other locations to support students and school programs.
TYPE 4: LEARNING AT HOME
Involve families with their children in learning activities at home, including homework and other curriculum-linked activities and decisions.
TYPE 5: DECISION MAKING
Include families as participants in school decisions, governance, and advocacy through PTA/PTO, school councils, committees, and other parent organizations.
TYPE 6: COLLABORATING WITH THE COMMUNITY
Coordinate resources and services for families, students, and the school with businesses, agencies, and other groups, and provide services to the community.
A more detailed explanation of the six types and how they might be implemented can be found in Epstein's Framework of Six Types of Involvement.