Australian Family School Partnership Framework

The Framework provides an agreed national approach to guide schools and families to build effective partnerships to support student learning.  The Framework is premised on research which demonstrates that effective schools have high levels of parental and community involvement and that this involvement is strongly related to improved student learning, attendance and behaviour. 

The Framework suggests a number of supporting structures necessary for strong and sustainable partnerships with parents:

• Written policies and administrative support
• Accountability to the community to report on outcomes & drive improvement
• Support networks to share ideas
• Parent/Staff Action Teams for Partnership

It also identifies seven key dimensions of effective partnerships:
1. Recognising the role of families
2. Connecting home and school learning
3. Communicating effectively
4. Participating in a wide variety of ways
5. Consultative decision-making
6. Collaborating beyond the school
7. Building community and identity