Decades of research show that Teachers and Parents as Partners (TAPP) improves children’s academic, social and behavioral outcomes, while building stronger, more effective relationships between parents and teachers.
Developed at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the family-school partnership intervention has been implemented in Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri, Wisconsin and rural Appalachian communities, expanding its reach in recent years through distance technology.
More than 700 students and their parents and teachers across hundreds of schools have benefited from TAPP.
Now, TAPP will reach even more educators and families as a featured program in Family Engagement Solutions, a free online tool launched by the National PTA (Parent Teacher Association) and the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University.
The tool helps district and school leaders, educators and advocates find evidence-based programs that strengthen family-school partnerships and improve student outcomes.
As a featured program, TAPP has been reviewed by parent leaders for alignment with the PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Partnership and has been assessed by researchers for alignment to federal guidance for evidence-based family engagement programming. TAPP has been recognized with a “strong” evidence of effectiveness rating.
Elevating TAPP’s visibility to a national audience is a significant milestone, noted TAPP developer Susan Sheridan, CYFS founding director.
“The recognition of the TAPP intervention as a featured program in Family Engagement Solutions is hugely important,” Sheridan said. “Being included among the select list of family engagement programs not only enhances our ability to connect with educators and families who may not otherwise have access to it, but it could potentially extend our impact nationwide.”
The TAPP intervention supports school-age children who are struggling with a variety of behavioral, social and academic challenges. When schools participate in TAPP, parents and teachers work together in a dynamic problem-solving process, focusing on student strengths to create a tailored success plan and track progress. TAPP has consistently delivered positive results across both rural and urban classrooms.
Key impacts:
- Students receiving TAPP performed better than two-thirds of their peers on measures of academic performance, social skills and positive behaviors.
- Children receiving TAPP show improved academic behaviors, such as active, engaged time and compliance, and improved social behaviors.
- TAPP benefits for teachers include improved classroom climate, better relationships with parents and enhanced management skills for students with behavioral issues.
- Parents report improved communication with children and teachers, and meaningful input on classroom goals and strategies.
Now is the time to bring TAPP to your school or community. Opportunities for engagement are available for urban, suburban and rural schools across the country. For more information, email tappworks@unl.edu.
To learn more about TAPP, visit tapp.unl.edu.
National PTA does not endorse any commercial product, service or entity. No endorsement of TAPP is implied.