Family and School Partnership Act of 1999

(Sec. 101) Revises ESEA title I (Helping Disadvantaged Children Meet High Standards) to include such revised and new family involvement activities under provisions for schoolwide programs, targeted assistance, school improvement technical assistance by local educational agencies (LEAs), State assistance, current parental involvement, and demonstrations of innovative practices.

Authorizes appropriations for a new program for family involvement activities. Allocates such additional funds to LEAs that receive title I part A basic grants. Requires such additional funds to be used for: (1) paying school staff time, or providing technical assistance, for development or implementation of programs to increase meaningful family involvement in their children's education in school and at home, and to increase family and school communication; (2) staffing such programs; (3) providing outreach efforts to and transportation for the most difficult to involve families; and (4) providing materials and resources for such programs.

Directs the Secretary of Education to identify, collect, and disseminate information on: (1) quality research on family involvement as it relates to student achievement, school improvement, and family success; (2) effective family involvement practices and model programs; and (3) opportunities for families, schools, and communities to receive technical assistance in implementing such practices and programs. Requires dissemination of such information: (1) through the Parental Information and Resource Centers to families, community organizations, schools, and LEAs; and (2) directly using various media, including print and the Internet.

(Sec. 102) Revises ESEA title IV (Safe and Drug-Free Communities) to require State and local applications for allotment grants and subgrants to include descriptions of strategies and outreach activities to enhance family involvement in education and increase family-school communication. Refers to involvement of families (current law refers to involvement of parents) under provisions for local drug and violence prevention programs.

(Sec. 103) Revises ESEA title VI (Innovative Education Program Strategies) to include as factors in determining effective schools programs: (1) strong family involvement in their children's education in school and at home; and (2) effective family and school communication. Includes family involvement programs or activities among targeted uses of funds for local innovative education programs.

Title II: Professional Development for School Staff - Revises professional development program requirements, for LEAs receiving ESEA title I part A assistance, to include instruction for teachers, principals, pupil services personnel, and school administrators in effective practices for communicating with families, working with families, and increasing families' involvement in their children's education in school and at home.

(Sec. 203) Revises ESEA title II (Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program) to authorize the Secretary to use Federal activities funds to develop and disseminate models for high-quality professional development activities that train educators and other school staff in strategies, techniques, methods, and practices for working with families and encouraging families' involvement in their children's education in school and at home.

Adds various family involvement and communication requirements to ESEA title II provisions for the National Teacher Training Project, State applications and State-level activities, and local allocation of funds and allowable activities.

Title III: Strengthening Home and School Communication Through Technology - Revises ESEA title III (Technology for Education) to require the national long-range plan to include information on how the Secretary will promote professional development of teachers in use of new technologies, not only for instructional purposes, but also to facilitate and enhance family involvement and increase family and school communication.

(Sec. 301) Adds various family involvement and communication requirements to ESEA title III provisions for Federal leadership, local applications and uses of funds, national challenge grants for technology in education, and the program of grants for regional technical support and professional development.

Title IV: Parent Education Programs - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish Parenting Education Programs as a new part D of title III (Institutional Aid).

(Sec. 401) Directs the Secretary to award grants to community colleges for parenting education programs. Requires each grantee community college to use such funds to: (1) pay a faculty member at that college to administer such a program; and (2) carry out such program by providing parenting education information through courses taught by an individual who meets the State requirements for part-time faculty at such college. Sets forth authorized program activities. Authorizes appropriations.