2.

1 Family Engagement

4.6.1- Describe the advantages and importance of family or caregivers involvement in

learner development

https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/frss/publications/98032/index.asp?sectionid=7

An important aspect of being an effective teacher is involving family members and

caregivers in a students educational experience. According to the National Center for Education

Statistics. ¨Ninety-seven percent of all schools held an open house or back-to-school night, and

92 percent scheduled schoolwide parent-teacher conferences.¨ (Evidence 2.1.1). Relationship and

engagement need to be between ¨teacher-student¨. Family engagement is necessary in facilitating

maximum learning for all students.

Some advantages and disadvantages of parental involvement is that parents might not

want to be involved with their child learning.They learned differently growing up or even don't

know how to help their kid with the school work. One advantage is that parents are more aware

of their students' progress towards learning. Another advantage is that parents can help keep their

children more accountable. One disadvantage is while this can be very beneficial to the school, it

can leave some parents feeling isolated if they are unable to be involved in a traditional manner

due to work schedules or other circumstances. It is important that schools communicate that

coming in during the day isn't the only way to help. Parents who are unable to attend

conferences should have the opportunity to speak with teachers on the phone or by email so that

they are familiar with the teachers' goals, the structure of the classes and their child's progress in

classes.

The districts can communicate with parents at various points throughout the school year.

It depends on the information being communicated. There are district announcements and then

there are announcements that are particular to one building or group of students. (Evidence 2.1.2)
The board of education talks about the future of the district and shares the information and topics

discussed publicly. They post the meeting minutes on the school website. Making sure that the

family is engaged and feels connected to the school is very important. The district makes sure

that parents have access to the school report card so that parents know how well the school is

doing. Parents want to know that their child is attending a good school and getting a good

education. Also the district sends out schedules for the kids so they can see what classes they are

taking. Since with the hybrid schedule this year because we had a pandemic so for this school

year calendar it is broken up between our last names. It is important that the students and parents

know what day they go to school because you can't go on the days you are at home. (Evidence

2.1.3)

Not only should the district be communicating with parents, school teachers should also

be communicating. Several ways that teachers can communicate are through emails, scheduling a

meeting, and quick phone call home. Teachers can post a classroom newsletter, syllabus, and

classroom updates on their website or Schoology page. Some teachers can communicate with

parents by emailing them, sending home a weekly newsletter or even a parent teacher

conference. Also some parents can catch up with the kids' school work by looking at their class

dojo, seesaw whatever the teacher uses to put up what they are working on or doing in class. I

wrote a letter to parents/families introducing myself (Evidence 2.1.5). I also created a “Meet the

Teacher” that I could show the parents and students at the open house. (Evidence 2.1.6). I created

a newsletter that I will be sending home weekly that has important stuff that the students need to

know or even the parents for they know what is going on. (Evidence 2.1.7)

In conclusion, family engagement is an important part of the education system. There are

multiple ways this can be done from the district level and building level, as well as in the
classroom. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “researchers on

school-family partnerships have reported that schools that help families feel welcome and show

them how to improve learning at home are likely to have more support from parents and more

motivated students.” (Evidence 2.1.1).