Strategies Targeting Family Engagement/Partnerships within a Culturally Responsive Multi Level System of Support
The research on family engagement in education spans 30 years. It links increased student achievement with parent engagement in their child’s learning. This link has also spread to student behavior as students whose family members are involved in their education show improved behavior, and lower rates of suspension, alcohol use, violence, and antisocial behavior (National Education Service, 2002). As part of our efforts to improve behavior in the schools, we can look to family members for support.
WI RtICenterCRMLSS (Culturally Responsive Multi Level System of Support) Family Engagement Plan Outline:
1.Have family members take the CRMLSS Family Member Survey (Pre) at the beginning of each year (example: open house, parent teacher conferences, etc.).
2.Review the results
3.Share the results with a stakeholder group that includes staff and family members
4.With the assistance of the stakeholder group, develop a plan to address areas of concern or weaknesses. (See items 10 - 13 below)
5.Share the survey results and plan with ALL families and staff.
6.Implement the Plan throughout a specified time period (i.e. Semester, school year)
7.Ask family members to take the CRMLSS Parent Survey (Post) at the end of the time period.
8.Compare this with the Pre-survey.
9.Address the items on the survey that most family members mark “no” or do not understand.
10.Have the CRMLSS Universal Team use the Family Engagement Checklist, compare this with the Family Member Survey and address the mutual concerns of each document. Use the CRMLSS Family Engagement Questionnaire/Guiding Questions to complete the Action Plan form to guide the team in their Family Engagement implementation.
11.Review the Family Items on Assessment forms, review and contrast which items you
have achieved during the school year and which need attention (TIC/SAS/BoQ/TFI/SIR/BAT).
12.Use the linked resources for different strategies to use for engaging families.
13.Once the team becomes fluent in using this process forCRMLSS use the documents in other areas to increase Family Engagement.
A few strategies to encourage teachers to start positive interactions with families:
- At the beginning of the school year, have each teacher address 3 positive postcards for each student in their classroom. When the teacher notices the student show a positive behavior or improve their behavior, they can quickly jot down a note and send it home. Ask that teachers have all three postcards for each of their students’ mailed out prior to January 1. Repeat the process for second semester.
- At the beginning of the school year or when inviting family members to a school activity include the school matrix and expectations so family members are aware of the expectations for everyone who enters the building.
- Ask family members to work with their child on similar expectations at school and at home. Include a blank matrix for family members to complete with their child.
January 2016