Family and Community Engagement
Family and community engagement, which involves actively tapping the expertise and knowledge of family and community members to serve as true partners in supporting and educating students. Statute defines this as including “home visits, home-school collaboration, [and] culturally responsive community partnerships.” Learning opportunities for family members as well as structures and opportunities for shared leadership are other important elements of authentic family engagement.
Strong engagement is built through trusting relationships and practices that are responsive to the local community. This may include home visits, ongoing communication and collaboration between families and educators, family learning opportunities, culturally responsive partnerships, and opportunities for families to participate in school governance and shared decision-making.
When implemented well, family and community engagement can strengthen relationships between home and school, improve school climate, and contribute to positive student outcomes. LPI’s research also emphasizes that families should have opportunities to help identify priorities and develop strategies that address the unique needs and assets of their school communities.
Source: Learning Policy Institute
Build Authentic Relationships
Create meaningful connections between schools, families, and communities through strategies such as home visits and ongoing home-school collaboration.
Create Meaningful Partnerships
Develop culturally responsive community partnerships that recognize and build upon the knowledge, strengths, and assets families and communities bring.
Shared Learning & Leadership
Provide opportunities for families to learn, contribute, participate in decision-making, and take on meaningful leadership roles within the school community.
What This Can Look Like
- Home visits and relationship-building
- Family learning opportunities and workshops
- Home-school collaboration
- Culturally responsive community partnerships
- Family voice in planning and decision-making
- Opportunities for shared leadership
Questions for Reflection
- How are families currently involved in shaping decisions at our school?
- How do we create opportunities for families to share their knowledge and expertise?
- Are our engagement opportunities accessible and culturally responsive?
- Where could families have a stronger voice or leadership role?
Community Engagement Initiative
The Community Engagement Initiative helps schools and districts strengthen authentic partnerships with students, families, and communities. Through professional learning, peer collaboration, tools, and evidence-informed practices, CEI supports educational communities in building trust, strengthening family and community voice, creating more inclusive decision-making processes, and developing equitable and culturally responsive engagement practices.