Family Engagement School Reform

1. Family Engagement & School Reform Building Blocks for Integration

2. �The End in Mind� School Improvement Grant efforts are geared at positively transforming our schools so that we experience higher student achievement, have highly-qualified school staff that promote learning, and create a school community which integrates all stakeholders, including parents and the community, in student learning.

3. In drastically transforming our nation�s schools, the Department of Education has called attention to specific intervention areas: Leadership School staff Retention Opportunities for growth Instruction School Climate/Family & Community Engagement Reform Target Areas

4. Successful Reform Requires that the implementation of school changes, at every level, are comprehensive and address specific school needs Systemic � aligned to core goals Integrated � embedded into structures and processes designed to meet goals Sustainable � operates with adequate resources

5. Fitting Engagement Into the Picture

6. Why Family-School Partnerships? Educational research indicates that parental involvement in a child�s education (regardless of ethnic, racial, socio-economic and educational background) is one of the greatest factors to a child�s success in school Identified by educators as one of the top strategies for education reform Strong, positive relationships with parents play a key role in retaining teachers New teachers identified engaging families as the number one area where they need more preparation

7. History Future Compliance based �Siloed� from instructional practice �Random acts� and/or �add on� component Support and funding found across Title I & III, 21st Century, Head Start/Event Start, Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) Act programs Intentionally aligned with student learning and achievement Comprehensive, with consistent interface with parents over the course of schooling years Systemic and sustained Parents as decision makers & access to data

8. Conceptualizing Family EngagementPurpose, Use, and Outcomes Institutions that place family engagement at the center of their practice will see teachers engaging families in innovative ways to improve student outcomes: Workshops that model at-home support of student learning Parent- Teacher conferences centered around student achievement data Opportunities to understand and participate in school processes (decision-making committees, teacher hiring/evaluation, etc.) Development of leadership and advocacy skills As with any other intervention strategy, maximizing the effects of family engagement requires well- integrated practices that are continually strengthened and improved upon

9. Implementing Family Engagement

10. Assessing Family Engagement at Your School

11. Starting Points District Alignment Needs assessment Creating a Climate and Culture that Welcomes all Families Professional Development Opportunities Capacity Building & Link to Learning

12. 1. District Alignment Leadership is key � there must be LEA support and prioritization of family engagement in the form of strategic planning, goal alignment, dedicated positions, and professional development opportunities

13. Actions for LEA Capacity

14. Strategy Timeline

15. 2. Needs Assessment Where are you now, where can you go, and what comes next

16. 3. Creating Climate & Culture If families do not feel welcomed, respected, and valued by a school any effort to facilitate their participation will fall short It is the school�s responsibility to establish itself as an integral piece of the community that meets families� needs by connecting them with relevant information and services

17. Assessing Climate and Culture

18. 4. Professional Development To establish buy-in school staff must be provided with opportunities to expand on their skills and abilities to partner with families. Staff meetings, discussions, and workshops dedicated to family engagement Home�visits and staff orientation to the community

19. 5. Capacity Building & Link to Learning

20. Structuring ApproachFramework Models National Network of Partnership Schools Solid Foundation Guides schools to plan, implement, evaluate, and continually improve their engagement programs Establishment of school-based team Action Plan for Partnership Technical assistance throughout implementation PIRC has provided technical assistance in the model for 4 years Provides a school team with a structured online system and easy to follow steps to develop, implement and monitor a two-year plan for improved parent involvement and a strong school community. PIRC has provided technical assistance in the model for over 1 year.

21. PIRC Recommendations Ensure a needs assessment is conducted prior to the end of the year to gauge current level of family engagement Establish district level positions to guide and monitor family engagement work When adopting a framework model, we strongly suggested starting with NNPS in Year 1 and Year 2 to establish a foundation. Utilize Solid Foundation tools and structure in Year 3 *Recommendation is based on field work with school across the state* Consider pre-implementation parents focus groups and information sessions

22. Current PIRC Assistance

23. Future PIRC Assistance Based on PIRC�s work across the state, we have identified the need for in-depth, individualized, and intensive services to schools, specifically those undergoing large-scale reform. To support schools in creating systemic, integrated, and sustainable family engagement practices, PIRC has designed the following fee-based structure:

25. Proposed Funding for Family Engagement

26. For Questions and Feedback Contact: Jenni Brasington480-224-2061/jenni@azpirc.comUpcoming WebinarDate: Wednesday, February 23rdTime: 2:00 � 3:00 PMTopic: Conducting Needs Assessment & Pre-Implementation Planning