Fathers and Their Role in Family-School Partnerships

Abstract

Fathers contribute to many aspects of positive child development including making unique contributions to the development of academic, peer relationship, and social skills. Father-school partnerships are an area that needs increased fostering and research. Key issues to address in father-school partnerships include the support of improved parenting skills and the development of father-focused strategies to improve academic and social skills for the child. Strategies to include, engage, and retain fathers in effective school-based partnerships are discussed, with an emphasis on developing approaches that meet the specific needs of fathers and their families. The Coaching Our Acting-Out Children: Heightening Essential Skills (COACHES) program is used as an innovative approach to engaging and retaining fathers in effective treatment. Finally, a research agenda for the next steps in the development and evaluation of father-focused interventions that promote effective parenting and the development of academic and social skills for the child are discussed.