Strengthening Families through Family Engagement and Family School Community Partnership

1. StrengtheningFamiliesthroughFamilyEngagementandFamilySchoolCommunityPartnershipStrengtheningFamiliesthroughFamilyEngagementandFamilySchoolCommunityPartnership

2. Research demonstrates InvolvementThe evidence is consistent, positive and convincing; many forms of family and community involvement influence student achievement at all ages. PartnershipsWhen programs and initiatives focus on building respectful and trusting relationships among school staff, families and community members; they are more effective in creating and sustaining connections that support student achievement. Best results when families, school staff and community partners work together. New Wave of Evidence, 2002

3. Recommendations • Recognize all parents • Guide learning • Professional development • Link to learning • Strengthen families • Focus on trust and respect • Share power • Build connections • Include families New Wave of Evidence, 2002

4. Benefits for partners Students Higher achievement Families Parent involvement in learning Schools Positive interactions, student achievement Community Effective use of resources

5. Family, school and community engagement as an integral part of education reform • Family engagement is: • Shared • Continuous • Multiple settings • It must be systemic, integrated and sustained. • It takes intentional efforts, not random acts, to have impact. The National Policy Forum For Family, School, & Community Engagement, 2010

6. Reframing family engagement From an individual parent’s or teacher’s “job” To a shared responsibility To systemic approaches from cradle to career • From random acts • From events • To results-driven To purposeful connections to learning From add-on services To focus on learning, improvement, accountability and innovation From compliance From limited data To transparent data system

7. Framework for effective family and community connections with schools Collaborative Action Toolkit SEDL

8. ESEA/NCLB and parent involvement Participation of parents in regular, two-way and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities. • Affirm parent role • Encourage involvement • Acknowledge full partners

9. Parents • Want what is best for their children. • Are not always sure how to achieve that. • Do have the capacity to learn and use strengths. • Engagement efforts that build on family strengths and increase resilience in adults can have positive outcomes for children.

10. PTA’s National Standards for family-school partnerships • Welcoming all families • Communication • Support student learning • Speaking up for every child • Shared leadership • Collaboration with community

11. Sample of practices that support family engagement and partnerships Assessment • National Assessment and Implementation Guides • Asset Mapping • Parents and Teachers Talking Together (Pritchard Committee) Partnership Processes • Creating Collaborative Action Teams • Solid Foundation • National Network of Partnership Schools There are many more effective practices.

12. Formula for success Families Schools + Communities Improved Student Achievement

13. Contact Pennsylvania Parent Information and Resource Center (PA PIRC) www.center-school.org/pa-pirc Center for Schools and Communities275 Grandview Avenue, Suite 200Camp Hill, PA 17011(717) 763-1661