Theory of overlapping spheres of influence on school, family, and community partnerships: reflections and extensions

This chapter summarizes the development, applications, and implications of the theory of overlapping spheres of influence in research on school, family, and community partnerships and programs for school improvement. The theory identifies the external structure of connections in three contexts – home, school, and community. It recognizes the internal structure of interactions among people within these contexts – students, parents, educators, community partners – who may communicate and work together in ways that promote or limit student learning and development. The theory is supported by a framework of six types of involvement that organizes the content of strong programs of partnership. The authors provide five examples of how other theories of educational leadership, social capital, and racial equity supplement the theory of overlapping spheres of influence to increase the understanding of the structures and processes that affect aspects of partnership programs at different policy levels. They discuss the implications of the results of these studies for improving policies, programs, and practices of partnerships.