promoting successful and meaningful family engagement

Promoting Successful and Meaningful Family Engagement

April 30, 2014

A nonprofit, nonpartisan education advocacy organization working to

build a movement of Arizonans in support of world-class education

for all children.

Expect More Arizona

Expect More Arizona

We build the public will for a world-class education for all by:

Raising public awareness of critical education issuesEngaging parents and familiesConvening community leaders & organizations to support education

Are We Doing Enough to Support Educators and Effectively Prepare our Children for the Future?

Employers who report their new hires are deficient in basic skills

42%

Arizona students that enroll in remedial classes in community colleges

59%

Arizona graduates who do not qualify for admission into state universities

53%

Arizona students who do not graduate on time23%

Where Do We Stand Today?

Families are Our Most Important Partners

Families with high academic expectations have children who:• Attend school regularly• Have stronger social skills• Earn higher grades• Graduate from high school• Go on to college or other postsecondary program

What is Family Engagement?

Family Engagement is:A shared responsibility

Continuous across a child’s lifespan

Carried out everywhere that children learn

Effective Things Families Can Do at High School Level

Set high expectations

Establish a college going

culture

Support academic

achievement

Advocate for their child

Support social and

emotional factors

Set High Expectations

Communicate high expecatations openlyExpect your child to go to collegeFoster educational and occupational aspirations

Establish College Going Culture

Discuss going to collegeMake plans for the futureVisit colleges togetherAttend college planning workshopsCreate and use a college planning checklist

Support Academic Achievement

Discuss learning strategiesOther ideas:• Help with time management• link schoolwork to current events• discuss the activities your children do at school• set clear expectations about school attendance

Advocate for Their ChildSpeak up for their child when needed.Help them get in the best teachers’ classesGet to know how the school system works/functions

Support Social and Emotional Factors

Identity development

Motivation and goal setting

Self-regulatory skills

How Can You Support Family Engagement?

Traditional ThingsDiscuss importance of attendance and credit accumulationFacilitate meetings with teachers and counselors about their child’s academic programExplain courses their children need for post-secondary educationProvide info on financing a post-secondary education and financial

aid

Supporting Social and Emotional Factors

Communicate with family members about the skills needed for college in a comfortable, accessible manner on an ongoing basis.Invite families to be involved in college exploration activities.Create opportunities for families to connect and build networks together.Facilitate family-youth discussions about college.Organize student led conferences for cooperative planning (study habits, organization, planning, leadership, presentation skills) for students and parents.

What are some barriers to getting families engaged?

Overcoming Barriers

One invitation is rarely enough

Be respectful

Be persistent

Solicit and welcome family feedback

Provide logistical support

Resources Available to Support You

Expect More Arizona’s Family Engagement Resources:• Today campaign• Workshops and presentations• College and career preparation and family

support materials • Timely education information• Multi-cultural family resources• Parent led engagement initiative

You only get one Today, make the most of it.

Today Campaign - GoalsParents create a college completion culture for their familiesHabituate meaningful behaviorGeneral public supports educators and the success of all children

TodayInAZ.org

Workshops and Presentations

College and Career Planning WorkshopArizona’s College and Career Ready Standards PresentationFamily Engagement WorkshopTrain the Trainer WorkshopQuality of Life Presentation

25

Multi-Cultural Family Resources

Today Campaign for Latino CommunitiesSpanish language social media Spanish translation of key workshopsSpanish and culturally relevant support materials

What other resources or support would help you engage families?

Contact InformationDonna Davis, Senior Community Mobilizer, donna@expectmorearizona.orgJennifer Hernandez, Northern Arizona Community Mobilizer, jennifer@expectmorearizona.orgSelena Llamas, Southern Arizona Community Mobilizer, selena@expectmorearizona.orgAdriana Figueroa, Director of Multicultural Community Engagement, adriana@expectmorearizona.orgErin Eccleston, VP Mobilization and Outreach, erineccleston@expectmorearizona.org

Thank You