Let’s FACE it! Part 3 TOP 5 Family Engagement Strategies for Success in Preschool – Grade 5

1. Let’s FACE it! Part 3TOP 5 Family Engagement Strategies for Successin Preschool – Grade 5 La Tefy G. Schoen, Ph. D. www.laspdg.org

2. WELCOME On behalf of the Louisiana State Personnel Development Grant, I would like to welcome you to today’s webinar “ Let’s FACE it!” This is Part 2 in a series on effective Family and Community Engagement. My name is Dr. La Tefy Schoen and I am an educational consultant with Learning Innovations in Baton Rouge. The presentation will be available for future viewing at www.laspdg.org under FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

3. Questions? If you have a question pertaining to this webinar or the La SPDG Project Please EMAIL US ! • Content-related questions: Latefy@schoencpa.com • LaSPDG grant-related questions - Melanie Lemoinelemoinem@lsu.edu

4. We use People First Language! “People First Language puts the person before the disability and describes what a person has, not who a person is.” Kathie Snow. (n.d.) A few words about People First Language. Disability is Natural. Retrieved August 1, 2012 from http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/images/PDF/pfl-sh09.pdf

5. Purpose of this Let’s FACE it! Series:1. Review Research on Effective FACE Programs2. Examine our current practices3. Develop/adapt practices that have greater impact on student academic success

6. StructureExpectationsTrustFor Success! The Building Blocks of an effective FACE Program

7. Built on 20+ years of research on Family Engagement in education. 3 COMPONENTS are needed to build an effective home/school partnership that positively impacts student learning! SET For Success Framework

8. A Review of the Literature indicates A multi-faceted approach to engaging families An annual review/revision process Feedback from multiple stakeholders Goal focused/action oriented Informed by current research on best practices • Organized Volunteer Program • Providing School Information • Parent Education Program • Home Learning Resources • Two Way Communication Systems • Student Assistance Programs • Staff Development Program Build a strong & effective FACE Program

9. P-5 Strategy 1 Well Organized Volunteer Program Why is this important? • Introduces parents to school climate/culture • Establishes Relationships • Builds Trust in the School Parents of Young Children are more likely to Engage

10. Strategy 1 Volunteer Program organized • Make it EASY • to understand – • Limit number of activities • Clearly define tasks & processes • to participate in- • Anyone can help for an hour/day • Just show up & sign-in • Established days & times for on-going tasks • Focus on Academics – parents do tasks that are tied to student learning • Provide Training – specific to each task • Show Appreciation -track volunteer hours & recognize publicly

11. P-5 Strategy 2Parent Education Program • Empowers parents & families • Builds trust & goodwill • Builds knowledge & skills that enhance student achievement • Minimizes parent frustration & anxiety

12. P-5 Strategy 2 Parent Education Program Generate a Calendar 2-4 Parent Education Topics & Event Dates Select High Interest Topics • Parents & Teachers suggest Make events pleasurable & memorable • Include children in any way possible (introductions, skit, poem, pledge) • Provide Food • Have FUN: Door prizes; contest; recognize staff, volunteers or students Be inclusive • Remember those who need childcare, transportation or interpreters • Presentations should be interactive Publish materials parents can reference anytime • Videotape presentation • Provide handouts, reading, resources

13. P-5 Parent Education IMPORTANT TOPIC AREAS • Child Development & Behavior Modification -age specific attributes -recommend strategies & resources • Curriculum Mastery - small & grade specific • General Cognitive Growth Strategies -everyday interactions & activities parents can use • Characteristics of Specific Types of Learners

14. P-5 Strategy 3Home Learning Resources • Send concrete materials that students can use at home to promote • general cognitive growth • curriculum mastery • Provide a list of online websites for children in this age group • User friendly Resources –include simple written directions of how to use the materials • Differentiate Home Learning Resources from homework – no due date or penalty • Provide an incentive for students to use the home learning resources

15. P-5 Strategy 4 Two-way Communication Communicate Frequently… in Many Ways • Reaches more families • Improves relationships & builds trust • Informal chats with teachers empower families • Informed parents empower teachers • Increases mutual understandings • Fewer discipline problems • Eliminates the need for “child-as the-go-between” Students who perceive their teachers and parents are working together to help them have • Better attitudes • More confidence in their own ability to improve • Higher student standardized test scores

16. P-5 Strategy 4 Two-way Communication Systems Establish a Parent Outreach Program Ask each teacher to call each parent Call each parent EVERY 3 Weeks Report child’s progress Discuss concerns Inform/remind of upcoming events Keep a phone-contact log for each student

17. P-5 Strategy 5 Staff Development on Family Engagement Include administrators, non-instructional staff & parent leaders • Cover general information on the impact of family engagement on student achievement • Outline how specific Family engagement programs work • Unifies efforts • Builds Capacity • Increases effectiveness • Increases sustainability because it generates interest & assistance • Network with Family Engagement Groups Outside of your district • sparks creativity & builds enthusiasm

18. Staff Development on Family Engagement Makes a HUGE difference! • Well-developed Family Engagement Programs include … • strong input from parents • collaborative planning by teachers • guidance & support from administrators • PERIODIC REVISION

19. SET for Success • The SET acronym focuses us on the most important aspects as in a FACE program, based on a wealth of research. • In FACE programs that build strong structures, expectations, and trusting relationships, research indicates you can expect to see: • Higher GPAs • Higher standardized test scores • More high school credits earned • More difficult courses taken • Better attendance • Fewer discipline problems at home & school Start by planning structures that establish positive expectations and build trust !

20. For more information on Family Engagement Strategies that Impact Student Achievement Dr. La Tefy Schoen www.Learning-innovations.com Latefy@schoencpa.com

21. StructureExpectationsTrustFor Success!

22. www.laspdg.org The contents of this PowerPoint presentation were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H323A110003. However those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. You can provide your feedback regarding this webinar at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/fepk-5