Improving how schools engage families during the crucial 9th-grade year

Decades of research confirm that systematic school efforts to engage families in their children's education have positive effects on student learning and development, but as students move into the "make or break" 9th-grade year, efforts to engage families have historically declined. Because student attendance and course performance in 9th grade are such important predictors of on-time high school graduation and postsecondary education, this year is precisely the time when schools should be putting a special effort into leveraging the family support that can make a significant difference in those high school outcomes. Here, Iver et al discuss how to mobilize schools to improve their family engagement efforts during this key transition.