Find out why K-12 family and community engagement plays a key role in student academic achievement, and how to deepen these school connections.
It takes a village to raise a child, as well as support for that village to help the child succeed in school. With public school enrollment on a major decline, many educational organizations are turning to K-12 family and community partnerships to increase engagement. When families and community members are involved in student learning, students improve their academic performance and gain a stronger support system, helping them feel more confident at school.
K-12 family and community engagement has long been a focus for schools. However, parental involvement in education tends to decline as students get older. Further, a recent National Association of Family Support and Community Engagement (NAFSCE) report found that over 70% of teachers and educators experienced challenges with parental and community involvement in schools. This trend paired with ongoing academic recovery challenges illustrates the need to involve and support more families and community members in the K–12 learning environment.
By connecting family and community members to school experiences, district and schools can advance student development and learning, as well as improve practices and operations by identifying the features that best support students.
Use the following insights to learn more about how strong family-school-community partnerships positively affect student achievement, attendance and behavior, staff understanding of local needs, and school reputation.
Increased Student Achievement
Increased family and community engagement in schools is strongly associated with faster rates of literacy acquisition among children, increased rates of promotion to secondary education, and decreased rates of school dropout. A 2020 study about family-school connections within low income Latinx communities, emphasizes the academic importance of school family networks for historically marginalized communities.
With busy lives, many parents need flexible ways to increase involvement in their students’ learning. Schools and districts should consider the following tips to help families promote student academic achievement:
- Encourage parents to monitor and assist with homework by providing helpful resources such as virtual or in-person homework collaboration events, answer keys, and accommodations for English-learning caregivers.
- Conduct scheduling surveys to better understand how families’ work hours, extra-curricular commitments, and holidays may affect attendance at academic events at school.
Learn how school climate directly affects student achievement with our infographic, 5 Ways to Improve K-12 School Climate
Improved Student Attendance and Behavior
Chronic absenteeism remains a significant concern nationally. Many factors contribute to absenteeism, including disengagement due to a lack of meaningful connections to adults in the classroom. Some schools may spend resources providing incentives such as class pizza parties to promote good attendance.
While incentive-based initiatives encourage some students to come to school, family and community involvement in the school experience is a more important influence on student attendance. Some schools have implemented the practice of family-teacher home visits to reduce chronic absenteeism.
K-12 organizations can also support families by offering workshops, tip sheets, and messaging about the impact of positive attendance. They should also provide clear, actionable steps to take if a student is experiencing barriers to attendance.
Explore solutions to persistent K-12 challenges with our annual Trends in K-12 Education report.
Enhanced Staff Understanding of Local Needs
K-12 organizations may wish to involve families and community members in students’ school experiences, but teachers and administrators sometimes lack an understanding of local needs, interests, and partnership preferences.
Many family members point to busy schedules preventing them from volunteering or being more involved in school activities, while others cite dissatisfaction with school communication. Many caregivers report a lack of tools and resources to support their child and frustration with interpreting school policies or practices. In addition, schools may not address language or cultural differences or the needs of single parents, grandparents, or foster parents, making some caregivers feel uncomfortable in school settings.
Leverage the following best practices to reveal vital insights about the unique needs and perspectives of your K-12 community:
- Hold meetings and conduct surveys to collect feedback from family and community members on what schools need to do to improve.
- Ensure transparency and open dialogue about school policies and initiatives to promote family understanding.
- Accommodate language and cultural differences, so all families and community members can be involved in students’ learning.
- Partner with local organizations or community members that understand these differences and can help in building community ties and meeting the needs of all student supporters.
Learn more about the range of possible student and family support options with our K-12 Student Well-Being Program Evaluation Checklist
Stronger School Reputation
K-12 organizations that effectively engage families and community members see a statistically significant increase in positive attitudes toward their schools. Schools and districts can earn parent and caregiver approval when they focus their efforts on making family members feel comfortable in the school setting.
When strong family-school-community partnerships result in improved academic outcomes, attendance, and family support, the school becomes known as a valuable place to receive an education.
Creating an infrastructure for family and community engagement demonstrates a commitment to supporting students and building a positive bond between home and school. In one Detroit district, administrators implemented several community engagement initiatives in response to negative enrollment trends. The result was significantly increased interest and enrollment with families in their district.
To improve your district’s reputation and support enrollment, consider the following practices:
- Periodically conduct surveys and/or focus groups to fully understand the needs and attitudes of your community.
- Proactively establish a warm and inviting presence in the community with strategies such as canvassing and partnering with local organizations to help meet local community needs.
Data-driven marketing strategies hold the key to supporting school reputation. Learn more with our guide, K-12 Marketing Strategies to Increase District Enrollment.
Overall, increased family and community engagement is a key factor in bolstering positive outcomes for both K-12 students and organizations. While most families wish to see their students achieve, they may lack the accommodations and tools to meet their full involvement potential. Schools and districts should continually center family-community engagement in their practices and plans to help ensure success for all.
