Research Briefs

Our research briefs provide practical, research-based tips for teachers, counselors, and school leaders on a variety of topics.


Partnering with Families from Diverse Cultural and Linguistic Backgrounds

In this research brief, we have summarized 25 research studies. From these studies, we have gathered six overarching strategies for educators and school administrators to foster meaningful partnerships with families from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.


Family Engagement with Students at the Center

This paper written by Ohio’s Statewide Family Engagement Center offers four research-based strategies for administrators and educators to empower student voice and elevate student role in schools’ and districts’ family engagement practices and policies. The brief synthesizes research on student voice, family engagement, and adolescent development.


Partnering with Families Through Special Education

This paper written by Ohio’s Statewide Family Engagement Center has seven research-based strategies for educators about partnering with families through Special Education. The brief summarizes findings of 30 research studies, and also incorporates practices from I.D.E.A. legislation and three family engagement frameworks.


front page of research brief with teenagers talking happily walking down a city street

Partnering with Families to Support Mental Health

This paper written by Ohio’s Statewide Family Engagement Center has five well-researched home-school partnership strategies for supporting students’ general, everyday mental health and well-being. We share opportunities that educators and families can use within each strategy so that ALL students experience the benefits of mental health supports at home and school.


Middle School Transition Research Brief by OSU

Partnering with Families for the Middle School Transition

This paper written by Ohio’s Statewide Family Engagement Center is for administrators, counselors, and teachers, 4th through 7th grade, looking to improve their strategies for partnering with families in order to facilitate and support early adolescents’ transition to middle school.


Partnering with Families for Early Language and Literacy Research Brief Cover Page

Partnering with Families for Early Language and Literacy

This paper written by Ohio’s Statewide Family Engagement Center is for early childhood educators looking to improve their strategies for partnering with families for children’s language and literacy development. This is the second edition (July 2021) of this paper.


Cover School Family Engagement with Grandfamilies in Mind paper

School Family Engagement with Grandfamilies in Mind

This paper written by Ohio’s Statewide Family Engagement Center will increase an educator’s awareness of grandparents raising their grandchildren (i.e., grandfamilies). When implemented, the tips and strategies contained in this brief can increase home and school connections, a sense of belonging and the capacity of grandfamilies and educators.


Partnering with Families for Middle School Career Exploration cover

Partnering with Families for Middle School Career Exploration

This paper written by Ohio’s Statewide Family Engagement Center is for school personnel who contribute to the career development of middle school students, grades 6 through 8. Utilizing a family engagement framework, the strategies and tips contained in this brief can contribute to successful career outcomes of students.


Return to Professional Learning Homepage