Family Engagement
Overview
Family engagement happens when educators and schools collaborate with families to collectively support their child's learning in meaningful ways, both at school and at home. Students whose families are involved and feel valued within the school community are less likely to miss school and integral instructional time, which research has shown can result in students falling behind academically. Families of students with learning disabilities or ADHD may seem reluctant to engage. They may have had prior negative experiences that have left them feeling mistrustful of education systems. Parental and family involvement in students' academics from their start in schooling and continuing into middle and high school can have positive effects on their academic achievement and Sense of Belonging throughout their development. Technology can be a valuable support in this communication process. Importantly, actively involving parents in the conversations about their childs' learning and educational journey can facilitate advocacy for parents in developing shared goals and becoming empowered to contribute to decisions for their child. This can be particularly important for students with learning disabilities who may need particular resources and support.
Example: Use This Strategy in the Classroom
The Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut State University shares family engagement strategies, focused specifically on younger children.
Design It into Your Product
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Culturally Responsive Strategies
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Translanguaging is a flexible classroom practice enabling students to listen, speak, read, and write across their multiple languages or dialects, even if the teacher does not have formal knowledge of these additional languages.