5 Steps To Overcoming Barriers To Effective Family Engagement

Bonisiwe Shabane
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5 steps to overcoming barriers to effective family engagement

Strong, sustained family engagement is not without its challenges. Parents are busy, and asking them to do another thing on top of everything else has to be manageable and worth the investment. VIVA conducted extensive research to better understand best practices and opportunities for family engagement, as well as how family-serving initiatives across California are engaging parents as partners. Read more about the barriers to building and sustaining parent and family partnerships that we learned through this analysis by downloading the HMGIE Family Landscape Analysis for yourself. Despite the barriers, there are always opportunities to create the conditions for strong parent and family partnerships. Here’s how we did it:

Overcoming barriers to effective family engagement is about creating something that can last. The Help Me Grow Inland Empire Family Landscape Analysis shares findings about the ways and means we can put parents into the driver's seats, and keep them there. VIVA Social Impact Partners helps our clients create the conditions for change that reverberate for a long time to come. Our consulting approach creates integrated solutions to turn possibility into action, develop and mobilize champions, and demonstrate and sustain your results—for change that is transformational. Family engagement in early childhood education is a key factor in fostering a child's development and setting the foundation for their future success. However, many families face challenges that hinder their ability to participate fully in their child’s education.

These challenges can include language barriers, demanding work schedules, and limited resources, among others. By understanding these barriers and implementing effective strategies, educators and schools can create inclusive environments that invite all families to become active participants in their child's learning journey. Many families may not speak the primary language used by the school, making communication between educators and parents challenging. This language barrier can create a disconnect, making it difficult for parents to understand their child's progress, school events, or even how they can support their child's learning at home. For parents and caregivers working long hours or multiple jobs, finding the time to engage with their child's education can be difficult. School events or parent-teacher meetings may be scheduled during working hours, making it nearly impossible for them to attend without compromising their employment.

Some families may lack the financial or technological resources needed to participate fully. Limited access to transportation, technology, or childcare can prevent parents from attending school activities, accessing online learning tools, or staying informed about their child's progress. Different cultural expectations or past negative experiences with educational institutions can also discourage families from engaging with their child's school. Families may feel that their culture and values are not represented or respected, leading to a sense of exclusion or discomfort. ������O���0_c��<a�[w��ѥE����^W*h���RI6�8���@�Ƞ��3�O�2��r��G3�טB�Y�~��C���1�0c�04�*�F����u���W�\7�:3��#e�����Da�#�b��G�Em��ں���`����z��Av���4��!��r�@(��L2��-�w*n���ރ�V�_�1���M ܗ�0ٖ?�8��o_�gB�"���%54�2�$L�!�°�7��#X�Qk� W�?���׸�]M��_��£q�Ƶ9�Ч�aSĒ������U;*@� t�ր�,ޏ�3t�p�S�ң�0�݂��Q�y:�q}����<�)S��|����i��6#��Z? ��tǺ�����7���!l�6����'�asyDE����,� �E��$�\iAK3�F6�.�W���b�����}�u�DbS��ق��3M}�(U*ع��zW'D0�Α�}��� �l� endstream endobj 48 0 obj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 26/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 504.0 720.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 49 0 obj [98 0 R 97 0 R 96 0 R 95 0 R... Qb-�z=��*4He�� �Y���*v�C�B<�M׉C���nl�%��aQ� EN�Tj|�6�֍|������/,NS� �%ϋ '[t�x��Qǣ��x�������������Z�<�\�� c�� ����B͚K��5��P��]%�O.h�n�s|�*.�*����g(���q�ˋa�*7����0t׾s� ����S�� Ă�l@��SQ�]�9�-���3toV��ik��B�B���LRk)���[H����]O���j{��X2��y���ц�y�6b�S �׾A�N��{�7?J�?�Tn {&�h�WJ+�N���~�je��$���eCVt>5����M'��8�c���A�z�J�ڎoY] {�2 �;�D� ���y�6���� )�l R� 6j��^we�Ļ2W�X.��i��X�r�`֏�M==�8���Q�ns�D^��a��{��� ���q�����L���"!�Q<�!���Vs��Z�@T�X}��t+��u��]�]�(�^��T��G��G�V�%.�ÏDŽ�Gg]w�uzFCbm 돊1+��&N���{$a!i�!؏u C}R($��ū��L5^Q w�?��n�]��`R�h���DJM��"S�Ev��hb<�� O5 ��<�r���^��� ���N��a���JWV-�ө�@����8�f�I�N_�c��������J���L�å�M�Zt���c���@���Eg\5��y�� �?fóȤMs��5geS3x�)+F��`�$��("�^6+�1��/�R���+��qi��Ӄ�����Z#� gJoQM"j!�K�B�ܡ�����}�苾T�0b�b�>S���0y�K��Vj���F�����mk���� ����(1��%�ig��+ҞJ�[��Q���8�(ઢA^��O<}���@�H]��]��d�= �2*����j� �t`� ۫�O?qn(��\������`�4���y�2��DY�f.�p�k!

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Meaningful family engagement is critical to students’ success in school. Numerous studies show that parental involvement is positively associated with student achievement. Evidence also shows that students with involved parents are more likely to: Students aren’t the only ones who benefit when families are involved in the educational process. According to the Parent Teacher Association’s report “Why Family Engagement Matters for Student and School Success,” teachers also feel more supported, and the school atmosphere is more positive and welcoming. Yet, many parents, caregivers, and guardians might not fully appreciate just how important their involvement is.

Even if they do, they might not always know what to do—or that schools want and need their help. By creating ways for families to feel welcome and included, educators can strengthen the relationship between home and school. For decades, research has affirmed that engaging families is one of the five keys to transforming schools and districts from good to great schools. Strengthening partnerships is an essential component to effective teaching, propelling student growth, and school improvement. In turn, families need staff to create spaces for them to learn about the inner workings of the school, as well as have opportunities to share their experiences, insights, and questions. Parents and caregivers want to be involved and to find easy pathways to feeling connected to their child’s school.

As I explore in my book, On the Same Team: Bringing Educators and Underrepresented Families Together, forming a diverse team of families and educators dedicated to creating more inclusive and culturally responsive approaches is... Here are five overarching ways that you and your school can strengthen your partnerships with families. We educators often say we “communicate regularly” with families. But are we communicating on their terms or ours? In our language or theirs? Is communication a one-way street, or are we fostering ongoing two-way communication?

To be culturally responsive in building bridges to families, we have learned that some ways of communicating are better than others. We educators are often eager for families to learn about the education system. We offer them “orientations,” “handbooks,” and “newsletters.” But do we work equally hard to learn about them? Here are a few key ways that we can show through both our words and actions that we truly value diversity and respect our students’ lives beyond the walls of the classroom. Choosing a Communication Platform for School-Home Engagement: A Buyer’s Guide Choosing a Communication Platform for School-Home Engagement: A Buyer’s Guide

Choosing a Communication Platform for School-Home Engagement: A Buyer’s Guide Family engagement in schools is a two-way collaborative process between families and schools that begins in early childhood education and continues through high school. In today’s fast-paced world, fostering strong partnerships between schools and families is crucial for the holistic development and academic success of students. When families actively engage in a child’s education, it creates a powerful support network that enhances the overall educational experience. In fact, family engagement is one of the best predictors of student success. Let’s begin by identifying some common barriers that may be preventing your school families from truly being involved in their child’s education.

Then we will provide multiple strategies you can implement to achieve family engagement success. An effective family engagement program cultivates strong family-school partnerships. ParentPowered explores six key principles guiding their success. Newcomers may join a school community at any point during the calendar year. ParentPowered shares 11 seasonally-aligned strategies to help these families transition successfully. Building relationships with families in early childhood education includes uplifting caregivers’ voices.

ParentPowered and NHSA share best practices for inviting parents as partners to program strategy and decision-making.

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