DEVELOPING STRONG FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - LRE Training Module Office of Special Education Programs New Jersey Department of Education ...
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DEVELOPING STRONG FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LRE Training Module Office of Special Education Programs New Jersey Department of Education 2015-2016 School Year
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 2
Workshop Goals
• Understand the importance of family and
community partnerships.
• Identify some of the ways in which schools can
partner with families and the community to
enhance school improvement and effectiveness.
• Develop a district action plan to enhance family
and community engagement
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 3 What is SWIFT?
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 4
SWIFT
Handout
Family & Community Engagement
5
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016
Why Family & Community Engagement?
If NJDOE Then Then Then
…IEP team meetings …student supports at
will be more effective home and in school
in identifying student will be seamless and
strengths and needs integrated
Provides training …an increased
and technical percentage of
assistance on students with IEPs
strategies for …parents and …IEPs will better will benefit from
authentic family & caregivers will be meet students’ needs education in
community more informed and and reflect instruction general education
engagement engaged in their in the curriculum and settings for a
children’s learning other student greater percentage
individual needs
of their school day.
…school efforts to …more students and
build collaborative their
family-school parents/caregivers
relationships will will be meaningfully
include families of engaged in IEP
students with IEPs meetings
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 6 Agenda • Families and Educators will work together to understand how family involvement strengthens the school climate and culture • New ways to involve parents in the school culture will be introduced • Time to plan together to strengthen family engagement will be provided • Parent Advisory Groups will be defined • Time to plan regarding community partnerships will be provided
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 7 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Facilitator, Please prepare video: Http://www.edweek.org/ew/section/video-alleries/?bctid=4076831942001 Handouts – Benefits of Engagement, Resources for Families, Think, Pair, Share
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 8
The Evidence
Research provides evidence that parental and community
involvement leads to:
• Improved academic • Improved social skills
achievement • Improved functional skills
• Higher grades
• Improved post-school
• Higher expectations
outcomes
• Improved skill levels
• Promotes positive behaviors
• Increased enrollment in
higher level programs • Supports a positive approach
• Improved attendance and attitude towards school
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 9 Additional Information Handout
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 10
How Does IDEA
Support Family Involvement?
IDEA ensures that:
• Parents can refer their child and request an evaluation.
• A team of qualified professionals and the parents of the
child determine the child’s eligibility for special education
services.
• Information provided by parents will be considered when
evaluating a child for a disability.
• The child’s parents are members of the IEP team.
• Students 14 and older are required members of the IEP
team.
• Parents participate in any group that makes decisions on
the educational placement of their child.NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 11
Meaningful and Successful
Family and Community Partnerships
Three Key Aspects:
• Relationships that recognize and respect
DIFFERENCES – including differences in
opinions
• Relationships that are built on TRUST
• Partnerships that value COLLABORATION
Mapp (2015)NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 12 Meaningful and Successful Family and Community Partnerships Because……"It Takes a Village"
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 13 It Takes a Village
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 14
Three Key Factors
That Motivate Families
Families [Parents] become more involved
with the school and with their
children’s learning if they:
1. Believe that they are supposed to be involved;
2. Believe that their involvement would make a
difference; and
3. Feel invited by teachers and their children to
be involved.
Adapted from Kathleen Hoover-Dempsey (2005)NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 15
When Schools, Families, and
Community Work Together…
EVERYBODY WINS!
• Teachers feel better about teaching.
• Families are more invested in working with schools
to support teaching and learning.
• Parents, teachers, and school leaders
communicate more regularly about student
progress.
• The broader community becomes more invested in
supporting public education.
• And most importantly, students experience greater
success in school.NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 16 Strategies for Reaching All Families
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 17
ACTIVITY
A Family Gathering
We are having a family gathering.
• How will you reach out to all members of the
family to include them?
• What will you do to make them feel welcome
and part of the family?
• What kinds of things will you do to help them
to feel connected after this event?NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 18 All families… [Families] WANT to be involved in their children’s education and school experience - despite their income level, their educational experience and their cultural background.
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 19
Strategies for Reaching All Families
Address Differences Trust and Collaboration
• What cultures are • What opportunities do
included in your school families have to
family? participate in the school
• What do you know culture?
about family
• How are you building the
expectations and
priorities for their school/family team?
children’s educational
needs?NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 20
Activity
Think, Pair, and Share
THINK: What reasons might prevent parents from
being involved in their student’s education or school
experience?
PAIR: After a few minutes of brainstorming yourself,
introduce yourself to someone next to you so that you
may share your answers.
SHARE: Take time to listen to one another’s answers.
Discuss and then determine what you agree on. Be
prepared to share out with the group.NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 21
Activity: Think, Pair, and Share
Handout
• What reasons can you think of that might hinder parental involvement?
THINK
• Share with your partner/s your responses and identify some that you have
in common?
PAIR
• Of those that you have in common, identify those reasons that hinder
parental involvement that the district may impact? Share ways the district
might improve parental involvement by addressing the reason.
SHARENJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 22
PROMOTING FAMILY
INVOLVEMENT
Facilitator,
Please prepare the room with 6 large sheets of chart paper hung on the wall,
labeled Parenting, Communicating, Learning at Home, Decision-making,
Volunteering, Community
Please create partners – one family member, one educator
If there are more than 12 people in attendance,
you might want to hang two sets of papers.
Handout – Epstein FrameworkNJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 23 Schools that Promote Family Involvement Have a welcoming atmosphere and school climate Know how to communicate with diverse families Offer a variety of ways parents can participate – a continuum of options for parent participation
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 24 Family Involvement Information Sessions Volunteer Grandparents Dedicated Dads Saturday Fun Days
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 25 Schools that Promote Family Involvement Accommodate family [parent] work schedules Collaborate with community leaders and community services Maintain regular communication with home – family, using a variety of methods
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 26
Communication Strategies that
Promote Collaboration
• Parent Ambassadors
• Newsletter or email
• Communicate in multiple languages
• Provide translation services
• Make personal face-to-face contact
• Engage social media
• Offer transportation and child care services
Adapted from “Collaborating For Success” Parent Engagement Toolkit” Michigan
Department of Education (2011)NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 27 Resource for Families Handout
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 28 Collaboration Strategies that Promote Trust • Include parents and community members as equal partners and value their involvement. • Educate parents about academic standards and assessments, and student achievement requirements. • Share decision-making power with parents and the community. • Reach out to parents as often as possible to let them know when their child is doing well! Celebrate successes WITH them!
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 29
Strategies for Promoting
Family Engagement and Involvement
in the IEP Process
• Create sustainable processes
• Value diverse input and perspectives
• Avoid the use of “jargon” when discussing the special education
process
• Develop mechanisms for soliciting parent input prior to IEP meetings
• Use student profile tools to encourage parent and student input and
participation in the IEP process
• Empower parents by providing information on special education rules
and processes
• Use person-centered approaches during IEP team meetings
• Pay attention to the physical meeting environment – set the stage for
an open discussion and partnershipNJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 30 Schools that Promote Parent Involvement • Creating a welcoming school environment • Engage families in school leadership, planning, and meaningful volunteer activities. • Connect students and families to community resources that strengthen and support students’ learning and well- being. Adapted from Ohio Community Collaboration Model for School Improvement (2013)
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 31
Types of Involvement for Comprehensive
Family and Community Partnership
Handout 1 • Parenting (tools and activities to support families)
• Communicating (information, feedback, and input)
2
• Volunteering (opportunities for involvement)
3
• Learning at Home (supporting academics and skills
4 at home)
• Decision-making (collaborative opportunities and
5 participation)
• Collaborating with Community (making needed
6 connections)
Epstein (2009)NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 32
Types of Involvement for
Comprehensive Family and Community
Partnership
• Information or seminars about health
and safety
• Parent Academies on subjects related
to ways parents can support learning
•
•
Parenting
Epstein (2009)NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 33
Types of Involvement for
Comprehensive Family and Community
Partnership
• Information about standards and
assessments
• Back to School Night
•
•
Communicating
Epstein (2009)NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 34
Types of Involvement for
Comprehensive Family and Community
Partnership
• Parents as Chaperones
• Parent as Classroom Helpers
•
•
•
Volunteering
Epstein (2009)NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 35
Types of Involvement for
Comprehensive Partnership
• Reinforcing of skill or difficult
concept
• Homework help
•
•
Learning at •
Home
Epstein (2009)NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 36
Types of Involvement for
Comprehensive Partnership
• Advisory groups
• IEP teams
•
•
Decision- •
making
Epstein (2009)NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 37
Types of Involvement for
Comprehensive Partnership
• Connections for community support
• Fundraising events
•
•
•
Collaborating
with the
Community
Epstein (2009)NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 38
ACTIVITY
Types of Involvement Carousel
Chart paper is hung throughout
the room.
• Each table will move from chart to chart.
• At each chart,
• Review previous answers
• Add as many ideas that are
different from previous answers
Be prepared to share your ideas
• We will be using these ideas to
create individual district plans.NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 39 Parenting
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 40 Decision-Making
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 41 Communicating
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 42 Learning at Home
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 43 Volunteering
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 44 Collaborating with the Community
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 45 YOUR DISTRICT PLAN Facilitator: Handouts – Action Plan, Current Efforts to Engage Families
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 46
Handouts
Enhance/Expand Parent Involvement
Goal: (state benefit/ need)
Activity:
Tasks/Action Steps Responsibilities Resources Timeline
“What will be “Who Will Do It” Funding, Time, People, By When-Day/Month
done” Materials
Evidence of Success: Was the activity implemented?
Evidence of Success: Has parent involvement improved as a result of this activity? In what
way(s)?NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 47
A Plan for Increased
The Family
Engagement
1. Evaluate district’s current
needs
2. Generate some ideas for
activities (reference chart
papers hung around the room)
3. Apply criteria
4. Plan activitiesNJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 48
A Plan for Increased Family
Engagement
1. Evaluate district’s current
needs
2. Generate some ideas for
activities
3. Apply criteria
4. Plan activitiesNJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 49
Evaluate district’s current needs
• As a team of your colleagues, complete
the “Current Efforts….” worksheet
• Celebrate the things you are doing well!
• Identify areas where you need to develop,
enhance or expand activities that will
involve parentsNJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 50 Current Efforts to Engage Families Handout
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 51
A Plan for Increased Family
Engagement
1. Evaluate the current needs of
the district you are in
2. Consider some ideas for new
activities to enhance what you
are already doing
3. Apply criteria
4. Plan activitiesNJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 52 Consider some ideas for new activities Brainstorm together. Reference the charts around the room. Use plain white paper. Think about what aspects of family involvement you would like to see improve. Identify the type of involvement (or activity/ initiative ) that will increase involvement in the areas identified. Generate potential activities that will help produce greater family engagement and involvement. Collect ideas from the posted charts.
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 53
A Plan for Increased Family
Engagement
1. Evaluate the current needs of
the district you are in
2. Generate some ideas for
activities
3. Apply criteria (impact, commitment, do-able)
4. Plan activitiesNJDOE OSEP 2015-2016
Enhance/Expand Parent Involvement
Goal: (state benefit/ need)
Activity:
Tasks/Action Steps Responsibilities Resources Timeline
“What will be done” “Who Will Do It” Funding, Time, By When-
People, Materials Day/Month
Evidence of Success: Was the activity implemented?
Evidence of Success: Has parent involvement improved as a result of this activity? In
what way(s)?NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 55
Apply Criteria
• Discuss each potential activity and how it satisfies the
following criteria:
• IMPACT
• Inclusive – Does the activity address the needs of the families of
students with disabilities?
• Cultural Responsive - Is the activity responsive to the cultures in your
schools and community?
• COMMITMENT
• What kind of commitment would be involved for the success of this
activity? Who would need to be committed in order for this activity to
be successful?
• DOABLE
• Can you realistically accomplish this activity in your district/school?
• Generate a list of those activities that meet the criteria.NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 56
Plan Activitiesties
• Together work to list activities.
• Sort the activities into two categories.
• Go ahead
• Hold for now
• Identify two or three that you have determine
are “Go Ahead” activities.NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 57 Potential Activities Facilitator Led: • Ask each group to share their Go Ahead ideas. • Chart these ideas • Allow the rest of the group to comment, discuss new ideas.
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 58
A Plan for Increased Family
Engagement
1. Evaluate the current needs of
the district you are in
2. Generate some ideas for
activities
3. Apply criteria
4. Plan activitiesNJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 59 Develop a Plan
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016
Enhance/Expand Parent Involvement
Goal: (state benefit/ need)
Activity:
Tasks/Action Steps Responsibilities Resources Timeline
“What will be done” “Who Will Do It” Funding, Time, By When-
People, Materials Day/Month
Evidence of Success: Was the activity implemented?
Evidence of Success: Has parent involvement improved as a result of this activity? In
what way(s)?NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 61 Implement Plan
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 62
Next Steps for Your District
• Who is coming to the planning meeting?
• How will you outreach to ensure that a diversity of parents
are represented?
• What do you want to accomplish?
• Does the meeting promote attendance so that all
voices can be heard?
• Childcare
• Transportation
• Food
• Translation
• Timing When will you meet?
• Daytime? Evening?NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 63 First Step - Planning Meeting • Time • Schedule a review • Methodology • Evaluations after each activity • Short survey of parents • Personal phone calls • Small focus groups • Suggestion box (real or virtual)
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 64
Schools that Promote Family Involvement
Work to engage families as partners
Plan with flexibility and respect diversity.
Set small doable goals
Regularly access the effects of the involvement
using multiple methods.NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 65
Parent Advisory Groups
• Each district board of education shall ensure that a
special education parent advisory group is in place in the
district to provide input to the district on issues concerning
students with disabilities.
6A:14-1.2 (b) 14(h)NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 66 Building an Effective Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) • Through the Statewide Technical Assistance and Resources Team (START) Project, Parent Group Specialists are available to provide assistance to help start parent groups for families with students who have disabilities, and to support existing special education parent groups. • Contact the START Project for assistance in starting and running a parent group. Email:start@spannj.org or call 973-642-SPAN (ext. 123). • http://www.spanadvocacy.org
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 67 BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS IN YOUR COMMUNITY Facilitator: Please prepare videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzvngdbG0g4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO2dZsshoMg Handout: Community Partnerships
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 68 Benefits of Community Partnerships • Enables the school to obtain the needed resources and supports • Expands students’ learning opportunities outside of school (e.g. after-school, service learning, Community-Based Instruction, Structured Learning Experiences) • Enables families to gain access to multiple sources of support • Allows community to participate in school’s decision making processes
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 69 Benefits of Community Partnerships • Increased volunteerism at the school/district • Increased access to community experts and learning experiences (e.g. police, drug free programs, college related opportunities) • Strengthens families • Facilitates cost sharing • Enables accountability
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 70 Community Connections • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzvngdbG0g4
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 71 Examples of Community Partners Include the Following: • Colleges and college based student organizations • Local church groups and other religious groups • County and local agencies such as: Public Health and Local Government • Employers and employment organizations • Non-Governmental Organizations • Local community groups • Alumni • Companies and Businesses • Volunteer groups • Other…
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 72
Impact of School &
Community Partnerships
• Upgraded school facilities
• Improved school leadership and staffing
• Higher quality learning programs for students
• New resources and programs to improve
teaching and curriculum
• Resources for after-school programs and family
supports
• Increased social and political capital of
participants
Adapted from Karen L. Mapp, Ed.D. Deputy Superintendent, Boston Public Schools
(2002)NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 73
ACTIVITY
Connecting with My Local Community
Adapted from The Power of Family School Community Partnerships: A Training Resource
Manual, National Education AssociationNJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 74
ACTIVITY
My Community Eco-Map
In your community, think about the local organizations and
partnerships that affect your school and the type of
relationship your school has with each:
strong and supportive, weak or stressful
1. Complete the Ecomap.
2. Jot down some ideas of how your school
a. Enhance the relationships that you identified as
strong and supportive.
b. Strengthen the relationships you identified as
weak or stressful.NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 75
Connecting With Community Handout
EcoMapNJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 76
Considerations:
Differences, Trust, Collaboration
Family, School, and Community
Partnerships
Building Partnerships
Defining Collaborative Goals
Improving Education for all studentsNJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 77
Building Strong Family and Community
Engagement
Dr. Karen Mapp,
Director, Harvard
University
Education Policy
and Management
Program on the
Recipe for School
Improvement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO2dZsshoMgNJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 78 Family [Parent] Involvement • A recipe • Practice for everybody • Shared power • Instructional guidance • Student center • Parent/community ties • Staff – flour • Family Engagement - Baking powder
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 79 Next Steps Today: You have defined new activities for families You have defined community outreach What are your next steps? • Build better family and community partnerships • 2015-2016 school year
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 80 The Role of the School Leader in Building Partnerships • Define vision and clear goals with regard to school partnerships. • Have effective administrative structures to ensure efficient and effective programs. • Establish regular and meaningful two- way communication with partners.
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 81 The Role of the School Leader in Building Partnerships • Engage a broad base of partners. • Respect position and feelings of partners in decision making. • Identify and use community resources and services to strengthen school, family and student learning and development.
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 82 The Role of the School Leader in Building Partnerships • Include parents in decisions and develop parent leaders and representatives. • Welcome, value, and recruit parental support, and assistance in school activities. • Have open days to create awareness about what the school does. • Promote and foster parental skills.
NJDOE OSEP 2015-2016 83 References • Epstein, Joyce, et al. School Family and Community Partnerships Your Handbook for Action Thousand Oaks, CA. Corwin Press, 2002. • Hendersen, Anne, Mapp, Karen, Johnson, Vivian, Davies, Don. Beyond the Bake Sale An Essential Guide to Family- School Partnerships New York, The New Press, 2007. • Spradley, Pat (2015, 24 February) Parent Engagement on Rise as Priority for Schools, Districts Ed Week http://leaders.edweek.org • National Network of Partnership Schools; John Hopkins University, 2006
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