TIPS Interactive Homework

About TIPS

Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork (TIPS) is a research-based Family, School, and Community Partnership (FSCP) initiative that encourages home-school collaboration focused on student learning. Over 20 years of research indicates:

• The implementation of TIPS Interactive Homework resources increased familial engagement with students’ school work regardless of family background or students’ initial skill set.
• The use of TIPS resources enhanced positive feelings around homework and homework time for both students and family members.
• The consistent utilization of TIPS resources facilitated student improvement in study skills, report card grades, and in test-score achievement in the content area related to the TIPS resources. (Epstein & Van Voorhis, 2001; 2012).

The Colorado Department of Education partnered with Johns Hopkins University and teams of Colorado educators to develop TIPS assignments for literacy in grades K-3.  The homework assignments are intentionally and specifically aligned with the Colorado Academic Standards; they were written by and for Colorado teachers. To best utilize these TIPS resources in classrooms and schools, CDE and Johns Hopkins University recommend that teachers and principals review thoroughly the TIPS training manual (currently unavailable). The manual provides invaluable information about the what, why, when, and how of implementing TIPS.

TIPS Resources

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Questions

For questions about TIPS implementation or training, contact Dr. Darcy Hutchins, CDE’s Director of Family, School, and Community Partnerships at hutchins_d@cde.state.co.us or 303-562-8175 (work cell).