Outline of Presentation

1. Mission, Vision and Values for Task Force2. Definition of Engagement3. Explanation of Research-Informed Framework4. Characteristics of Effective Engagement5. The District’s Role6. Strategies for Engagement

1. From Research2. From Interviews3. From Meetings

Mission, Vision and Values

MissionTo provide opportunities for sustainable and authentic family, school and

community engagement that results in equitable outcomes in each region.

VisionEach region will ensure a coherent and quality educational experience PK-8 and

will organize the community resources to serve the children, youth and families to realize full service community schools in each community.

Values• LISTEN (everyone has a story, a purpose, a set of beliefs and values)• ENGAGE (seek to understand and connect)• ALIGN (everything is always context dependent)• DELIVER (follow through on commitments and ensure people have what

they need to transform results for adults and young people in our care)

What is Engagement and Who Participates?

In service of the district’s vision to realize full service community schools that meet the needs of every child, engagement means recognition of the shared responsibility of

families, schools and community in creating the conditions that support students to

academic and social success

•Strategic, comprehensive, and continuous system of partnerships that begin at birth

•Comprehensive and linked complementary learning opportunities

•Shared responsibility for children’s education

Research-Informed Framework:

Sources: “With Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them”, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and “Barriers to College Attainment”, Center for American Progress

Characteristics of Effective Engagement

THE DISTRICT’S ROLE in building the structures that sustain family, school

and community engagement:

• Welcoming all families and community partners• Communicating effectively• Supporting student success and making

purposeful connections to learning• Sharing power and collaborating with the

community• Maintaining and institutionalizing engagement

Type of Engagement Description Strategies

Information to Empower

Breaking down data silos can facilitate shared responsibility for student success and empower families, schools and community to hold each other accountable for achieving the goals and outcomes they have agreed upon

Using data in family involvementExample: New Visions for Public Schools

Creation of a shared data systemExample: Jefferson County Public Schools

Leadership and Capacity-Building

Providing families and community members the tools they need to support students’ learning and healthy development both at home and at school, and have regular opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and skills to do so effectively

Parent leadership development

Example:Tellin’ Stories

Capacity-building school-CBO liaisonExample:City Connects

Community/ Education Organizing

Education organizing allows families, school and community to articulate the shared vision they have for all children in the system by raising consciousness and increasing awareness of their collective power to affect change

Base organizing on parent/ community concernsExample:Austin Interfaith

Build social capital

Example:Austin Interfaith

Mobilize collective power

Example:Austin Interfaith

Overview of Research-Based Strategies for Engagement

Characteristics Strategies

Intentionality

Make consequences visible and have processes that seem fair

Pay attention to implementation

Acknowledge similarities across regions and differences within regions

Understand cultural issues

Share and learn from each other

Set goals and organize around achieving them

Promise and end date, follow timeline

Relationship Building – • Create time to build relationships• One on one conversations• Build trust

Systems – • Offer services for more than just kids• Invest in personal connections in schools• Use ELLs as mentors for the community• Connect to CBOs and use their strengths• Tap into city task forces

Engagement rooted in community – • Neighborhoods take responsibility for governing• Use neighborhood art to tell story (murals)• Involve youth

Overview of Strategies for Engagement from One-on-Ones

Characteristics Strategies

Be culturally competent! (Multilingual, multicultural)

Check assumptions, no judgment

Break down “isms” – show respect!

Move folks around self interest

Meet people where they are

Respect people’s time

Provide important/critical information

Be responsive

Serve families – • Relieve stress at home so people want to engage• Address needs of whole family• Host more face to face meet and greets• Provide job opportunities• Build capacity, teach parents to be heard at schools

Leverage community resources – • Share community meetings at other organizations• Identify strengths of community to find out what works and what doesn’t • Provide resources and use referrals, collaborate• Provide workshops to train parents, community members, school staff• When meeting with community, bring folks who have existing relationships

Results-oriented – • Collective action to create change in our lives• Train, support, and coordinate family engagement workers across district

Overview of Strategies for Engagement from Meeting