Pursuing Systemic Change to Advance Family Engagement

1. Pursuing Systemic Change to Advance Family Engagement Vito J. Borrello NAFSCE Executive Director

2. Today’s Presentation • NAFSCE Background • The Research • Systemic Challenges to Advancing Family Engagement • Progress and Opportunities

3. Your Primary Goal for Family Engagement • My primary goal for effective Family Engagement is to achieve strong public and community relations in our school/district community. • My primary goal of effective Family Engagement is to increase student achievement in our school/district community.

4. Our New Association . Mission: NAFSCE’s mission is to advance high-impact policies and practices of family, school, and community engagement to promote child development, and improve student achievement. Vision: A world where family engagement is universally practiced as an essential strategy to improve children’s learning and advance equity. WHO: Educators, parent leaders, Early Childhood providers, community-based organizations, researchers, higher education and policy makers. WHAT: We expect to offer an ongoing webinar series, current research and information clearinghouse, community of practice networking, talent and job banks, and policy and advocacy for FSCE. WHERE:www.nafsce.org CONTACT: Vito Borrello, Executive Director, at borrellov@nafsce.org .

5. NAFSCE - The Need • Current climate of school reform disregards importance • Professionals are isolated and relegated to low status • Educators are unprepared to engage families • Few education organizations have FSCE as a Priority

6. NAFSCE - The Participants • Elevating High-Impact Family Engagement • Early Childhood thru Post-Secondary Educators • State, District and School-based Leaders • Parent Leaders • Community and Parenting Organizations • Educational and Non-profit Organization Staff • Policy-Makers and Researchers

7. Interesting Time in Family Engagement

8. Positive Student Outcomes • Studies show that family engagement leads to: • Higher grades and test scores • Enrollment in higher-level programs/classes • Grade promotion and advanced credit accumulation • Adaptation to school and improved attendance • Better social skills and behavior • On-time graduation and post-secondary matriculation Henderson, A., & Mapp, K. (2002). A new wave of evidence: The impact of school, family, and community connections on student achievement. Austin, TX: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory.

9. School Improvement Outcomes • Research from Anthony S. Bryk, the ninth president of The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching • His current research and practice interests focus on the organizational redesign of schools and school systems and the integration of technology into schooling to enhance teaching and learning The following were essential in improving Chicago’s Urban Schools • A coherent instructional guidance system • The school’s professional capacity • Strong parent-community-school ties • A student-centered learning climate • Leadership that drives change

10. 2016 Family Engagement Study • A Meta-Analysis: The Relationship Between Parental Involvement and African American Student Outcomes • Journal of Black Studies-April 2016

11. 2016 Family Engagement Study • Question 1:Is parental involvement for African American students associated with stronger academic and behavioral outcomes. • Question 2:Are there any differences in the effects for these students by grade level? • Question 3:Are school-based parental involvement programs helpful for African American students? • Question 4:What types of parental involvement expressions appear to help those students the most?

12. Need for Teacher Preparation in Family Engagement • Gen Y teachers rate their lack of preparation to engage families as the #1 reason that could contribute to failure and burnout. • Public Agenda Poll 2010

13. Family Engagement Systemic Challenges • Teacher Preparation in Pre-service and Professional Development • Inconsistent SEA Capacity and Standards • Lack of Awareness/Understanding of High-Impact Family Engagement • Misperceptions and Misunderstandings Regarding Family Engagement

14. NAFSCE Definition Shared Responsibility Family engagement is a shared responsibility in which schools and other community agencies and organizations are committed to reaching out to engage families in meaningful ways and in which families are committed to actively supporting their children's learning and development. Cradle to Career Family engagement is continuous across a child's life and entails enduring commitment but changing parent roles as children mature into young adulthood. Across Contexts Effective family engagement cuts across and reinforces learning in the multiple settings where children learn at home, in pre-kindergarten programs, in school, in after school programs, in faith-based institutions, and in the community.

15. Family Engagement: Reframing the Work Source: National Family, School, and Community Engagement Working Group

16. The Dual Capacity Building Framework for Family-School Partnership Authors: Karen J. Mapp and Paul J. Kuttner, USDE 2014

17. Every Student Succeeds Act • Statewide Family Engagement Centers • Continuing Section 1118 (Now Section 1116) • Continuing 1% Title I Funds for Family Engagement • School Districts may keep 10% of funds (vs. 5%)

18. NAFSCE Plans for the Future • Provide a Platform for Best Practices • Build Capacity in the Field • Advance Federal and State Policy • Reframe the Family Engagement Conversation • Establish a Higher Education Consortium to Address Pre-Service Teacher Preparation • Work with SEA’s to Support Capacity and Increased Standards

19. ContactInformation