The Dad Difference - How and Why to Invite Fathers Into Your School

The Dad Difference - How and Why to Invite Fathers Into Your School

The Dad Difference - How and Why to Invite Fathers Into Your School

A blueprint for making positive father engagement a reality in your school.

When students' fathers are engaged at school, good things happen. Discipline problems ease. Achievement rises. A positive sense of community and connection grows. The Dad Difference is a testament to the power of fathers as leaders and role models and a practical guide to working with them as educational partners.

Informed by experience and inspired by the dads whose voices appear in the book, education leaders Chacko Abraham and Deborah R. Higdon explore the transformative nature of effective father engagement programs. You'll learn...

  • What the research says--how fathers' presence and absence affect student success and well-being and the overwhelming case for getting dads more involved in school.
  • How to get started--advice for building a foundation of effective collaboration, from getting fathers on the phone and in the building to connecting them with peers and leveraging their talents and presence as committed partners.
  • How to keep going--smart ways to navigate obstacles to father engagement, including dads feeling out of place, having irregular work schedules, and being physically distant.

You'll also find a starter kit of effective father engagement strategies--20 different activities that can expand your school's capacity, foster strong school-home relationships, and boost confidence and belonging in both kids and dads. If you're looking for a low-cost, research-backed way to improve students' academic, social, and emotional outcomes, The Dad Difference is for you.

Book Details

  • Publisher: ASCD 
  • Publish Date: May 2026
  • Pages: 123 
  • EAN/UPC: 9781416634331
  • BISAC Categories: Education, Family & Parenting, Education

Testimonials

—Mark A. Martin, PhD, principal, Martin & Associates Strategic Management Consulting

“Drs. Abraham and Higdon beautifully capture what so many families experience but may not always put into words—that a father’s encouragement, involvement, and steady presence can shape not only academic success but also confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning. Blending insight with real understanding, The Dad Difference offers inspiration and practical encouragement for educators and holds great promise for both fathers and the children whose futures are strengthened when fathers fully engage.”

Inside the Pages

Key Highlights & Core Concepts

Born out of a collaborative virtual partnership during the 2020 pandemic, school administrators Chacko Abraham and Dr. Deborah R. Higdon outline actionable tools to help educators build intentional father partnerships.

Redefining Dads
01

Expands focus to encompass biological fathers alongside any key adult male role models in students' lives.

Cultural Shifts
02

Examines modern trends in paternity leave, sharing child care, and shifting roles in child rearing and parenting.

Authentic Voices
03

Features verbatim, unsanitized insights gathered from real interviews with active local fathers.

Low-Cost Blueprint
04

Provides simple, high-impact strategies that do not require immense budgets—only commitment.

Scalable Action
05

Offers customizable frameworks easily adapted for elementary, middle, or high schools of any size and setting.