Family-School Partnerships

Strong family-school partnerships support student success by fostering shared responsibility for learning; improving academic and social-emotional outcomes; and building trust between families and educators.

Family-School Partnerships Module

This Professional Learning Module is divided into four sections.

1. The introductory section includes definitions, rationale, key characteristics, outcomes, and teacher preparation. Discussions will focus on why partnerships matter, what schools experience through effective partnerships, and the impact of family engagement. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on the value of these partnerships.
2. The second section focuses on building and sustaining collaborative family-school partnerships (Essential Function 1 from the Practice Profile) by examining the power of partnerships, two-way communication, gaining family input, and building trust. These interconnected strategies support the development of strong, sustainable family-school partnerships. Participants will begin to develop strategies to build and/or improve upon their existing approach.
3. Section three focuses on families as partners supporting student learning (EF2). Topics include collaboration around academic and behavioral outcomes; communication at Tiers 2 and 3; and community resources. These topics move the discussion from relationship-building to action: what we do with the foundation we set in section two. The concepts in this section will equip families to support and reinforce their child’s learning at home instead of just informing them about it.
4. The final section focuses on district facilitation of shared learning (EF3) by discussing structure to support family leadership; family-to-family support; ensuring partnership opportunities are representative; and ensuring materials are available and accessible. Shared leadership is the most advanced concept in this module, focusing on actively engaging families in decision making and power sharing. Case studies are examined for in-depth discussion of shared leadership in action.

The entirety of the professional learning module.