Beyond the Classroom Walls

The book encourages students to view home, school, and community partnerships through a broad lens. It addresses core aspects of the topic, creates additional insight through unique, realistic assignments and class activities, and encourages culturally responsive involvement. The first chapters examine involvement frameworks and a variety of home, school, and community partnership standards.

Students will also explore the importance of pre-service teacher training, common logistical and psychological barriers impeding involvement, practical strategies for breaking down the barriers, and how to establish reciprocal relationships between families, schools, and the larger community. Special features of the text include graphic organizers, field work applications, extended reflections, case studies, and action research.

Beyond the Classroom Walls is best suited for use as a primary or supplemental text in undergraduate teacher preparation programs and practica.

Thomas Starmack earned his Ed.D. at the University of Pittsburgh. A former secondary mathematics teacher, school principal, and assistant superintendent, Dr. Starmack is now an associate professor of education at Bloomsburg University, where he coordinates the Educational Leadership Graduate Program. Dr. Starmack also conducts regional professional development for school and district-level administrators and serves as a consultant for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade school districts in central Pennsylvania. In 2001 he was the recipient of the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award and in 2010 he received the Supervision and Curriculum Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (PASCD).

Michael M. Patte is a professor of education at Bloomsburg University. During his 20-year career he developed an interest in promoting the development of home, school, and community partnerships and has shared his scholarship on the topic through publications, international and national conference presentations, and advocacy projects. He is a Distinguished Fulbright Scholar and a member of the Pennsylvania Governor's Early Learning Council."