Let’s FACE it! Part 3 TOP 5 Family Engagement Strategies for Success in Preschool – Grade 5

La Tefy G. Schoen, Ph. D.

www.laspdg.org

WELCOME

On behalf of the Louisiana State Personnel Development Grant, I would like to welcome you to today’s webinar “

Let’s FACE it!”

This is Part 2 in a series on effective Family and Community Engagement.

My name is Dr. La Tefy Schoen and I am an educational consultant with Learning Innovations in Baton Rouge.

The presentation will be available for future viewing at www.laspdg.org

under FAMILY ENGAGEMENT 2

Questions?

If you have a question pertaining to this webinar or the La SPDG Project Please EMAIL US !

• Content-related questions: [email protected]

• LaSPDG grant-related questions - Melanie Lemoine [email protected]

We use People First Language!

“People First Language puts the person before the disability and describes what a person has, not who a person is .”

Kathie Snow. (n.d.) A few words about People First Language. Disability is Natural. Retrieved August 1, 2012 from http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/images/PDF/pfl-sh09.pdf

Purpose of this

Let’s FACE it!

Series:

1. Review Research on Effective FACE Programs 2. Examine our current practices 3. Develop/adapt practices that have greater impact on student academic success

The Building Blocks of an effective FACE Program

tructure xpectations rust

For Success

!

For Success Framework

Built on 20+ years of research on Family Engagement in education. 3 COMPONENTS are needed to build an effective home/school partnership that positively impacts student learning!

Trust

Structure Expectations

A Review of the Literature indicates

• • • • • • •

A multi-faceted approach to engaging families

Organized Volunteer Program Providing School Information Parent Education Program Home Learning Resources Two Way Communication Systems Student Assistance Programs Staff Development Program • • •

An annual review/revision process

Feedback from multiple stakeholders Goal focused/action oriented Informed by current research on best practices Build a strong & effective FACE Program

P-5 Strategy 1

Well Organized Volunteer Program

• • •

Why is this important?

Introduces parents to school climate/culture Establishes Relationships Builds Trust in the School

Strategy 1

Volunteer Program

A. Make it EASY

 to understand –  Limit number of activities  Clearly define tasks & processes  to participate in  Anyone can help for an hour/day  Just show up & sign-in  Established days & times for on-going tasks

B.

C.

–

Focus on Academics

parents do tasks that are tied to student learning

Provide Training

– specific to each task

D. Show Appreciation

-track volunteer hours & recognize publicly

•

P-5 Strategy 2

Parent Education Program

Empowers parents & families • Builds trust & goodwill • Builds knowledge & skills that enhance student achievement • Minimizes parent frustration & anxiety

P-5 Strategy 2

Parent Education Program

Generate a Calendar 2-4 Parent Education Topics & Event Dates

• • •

Select High Interest Topics

• Parents & Teachers suggest

Make events pleasurable & memorable

Include children in any way possible (introductions, skit, poem, pledge) Provide Food Have FUN: Door prizes; contest; recognize staff, volunteers or students • •

Be inclusive

Remember those who need childcare, transportation or interpreters • • Presentations should be interactive

Publish materials parents can reference anytime

Videotape presentation Provide handouts, reading, resources

P-5 Parent Education 1.

Child Development & Behavior Modification -age specific attributes -recommend strategies & resources 2.

Curriculum Mastery - small & grade specific 3.

General Cognitive Growth Strategies -everyday interactions & activities parents can use 4.

Characteristics of Specific Types of Learners

P-5 Strategy 3

Home Learning Resources

• • • • •

Send concrete materials

that students can use at home to promote – – general cognitive growth curriculum mastery

Provide a list of online websites

for children in this age group

User friendly Resources

–include simple written directions of how to use the materials

Differentiate Home Learning Resources from homework

– no due date or penalty

Provide an incentive

for students to use the home learning resources

P-5 Strategy 4

Two-way Communication

• • • Reaches more families Improves relationships & builds trust – Informal chats with teachers empower families – Informed parents empower teachers Increases mutual understandings – Fewer discipline problems – Eliminates the need for “child-as the-go-between”

Students who perceive their teachers and parents are working together to help them have



Better attitudes



More confidence in their own ability to improve



Higher student standardized test scores

P-5 Strategy 4 Two-way Communication Systems

Establish a Parent Outreach Program

 Ask each teacher to call each parent  Call each parent EVERY 3 Weeks  Report child’s progress  Discuss concerns  Inform/remind of upcoming events  Keep a phone-contact log for each student

P-5 Strategy 5 Staff Development on Family Engagement

Include administrators, non-instructional staff & parent leaders 1. Cover general information on the impact of family engagement on student achievement

2. Outline how specific Family engagement programs work

• Unifies efforts • Builds Capacity • Increases effectiveness • Increases sustainability because it generates interest & assistance

3. Network with Family Engagement Groups Outside of your district

• sparks creativity & builds enthusiasm

Staff Development on Family Engagement Makes a HUGE difference!

Well-developed Family Engagement Programs include …

 

strong input from parents



collaborative planning by teachers guidance & support from administrators



PERIODIC REVISION

for Success

The

SET

acronym focuses us on the most important aspects as in a FACE program, based on a wealth of research. In FACE programs that build strong

structures , expectations , and trusting relationships

, research indicates you can expect to see:       Higher GPAs Higher standardized test scores More high school credits earned More difficult courses taken Better attendance Fewer discipline problems at home & school Start by planning structures expectations and build trust !

that establish positive

For more information on Family Engagement Strategies that Impact Student Achievement Dr. La Tefy Schoen www.Learning-innovations.com [email protected]

tructure xpectations

rust

For Success

!

www.laspdg.org

The contents of this PowerPoint presentation were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H323A110003. However those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. You can provide your feedback regarding this webinar at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/fepk-5