What is Family Engagement?

"Family Engagement is any way that a child's adult caretaker (biological parents, foster parents, siblings, grandparents, etc.) effectively supports learning and healthy development."
- Center for Strategic Community Innovation

There are several definitions and elements of Family Engagement. Most include building relationships, linking family engaging to learning, and sharing power and knowledge related to student learning.

Websites

• Flamboyan Foundation
  Works to develop the capacity of educators to partner effectively with families so that children succeed. (articles, videos)
  
  
• National Network of Partnership Schools, John Hopkins University
  NNPS invites schools, districts, states, and organizations to join together and use research-based approaches to organize and sustain excellent programs of family and community involvement that will increase student success in school (articles, trainings, webinars)
  
  
• Global Family Research Project
  Nonprofit organization that supports all families and communities in helping children find success in and out of school. connect research, policy, and practice to advance children’s learning and development. (articles, blogs)

Articles/Publications

• Report: The Positive Relationship Between Family Involvement and Student Success
  National PTA one page synopsis of findings that strengthen parent/family involvement programs
  
  
• Family Engagement Framework: A Tool for California School Districts - English ( PDF; 6.5MB; 56pp.)
  Developed for the California Department of Education, this tool provides guidance on implementing and evaluating effective family engagement to support student achievement

Videos

• High Impact Family and Community Engagement Workshop, Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Workshop
  This workshop explores family engagement frameworks that provide evidence-based, family engagement strategies. The video will assist district and school teams in developing effective engagement that aligns with their district and school plans. (SCOE FACE events in collaboration with Seeds of Partnership)
  
  
• Seeds of Partnership: Family Engagement That Leads to Increased Student Achievement
  Produced by the Seeds of Partnership and funded by the California Department of Education Special Education Division. Topics include: What is family engagement, why family engagement is critical, establishing effective and sustaining practices.
  
  
• SWIFT in 60: Trusting Family Partnerships
  Created by SWIFT, this film focuses on Trusting Family Partnerships including students with disabilities and those with the most extensive needs.

Action Tools

• Introduction to Family Engagement in Education
  Free Harvard University online video modules through edX. Learn about successful collaborations between families and educators and why they lead to improved outcomes for students and schools.
  
  
• Webinar Archives for School-Based Action Teams for Partnerships
  National Network of Partnership Schools, John Hopkins University annual (free) Webinar for School-Based Action Teams for Partnerships (ATPs). “Basics” for starting or strengthening a goal-linked partnership program for the school year. Topics include: ten steps to partnership success, strengthening the ATP, and how to write a good, goal-linked action plan to engage more and different families in ways that contribute to academic and behavioral results for students.