Low-impact family engagement in public schools is characterized by limited or one-way communication between families and staff. Examples of low-impact family engagement activities include program newsletters with generic messaging, and invitation-only family events.

​

High impact family engagement in education has some common characteristics across all levels, including:

​

1. Active involvement: families are actively engaged in their child's education through regular communication with teachers, participating in school events, and volunteering.

2. Two-way communication: there is open and ongoing communication between families and schools, with families being informed and involved in decisions affecting their child's education.

3. Relevance: families understand the importance of their child's education and the relevance of their involvement in it.

4. Personalized support: families receive individualized support and guidance based on their child's needs and interests.

5. Collaboration: schools and families work together to set goals and work towards common objectives, recognizing each other's strengths and contributions.

6. Cultural responsiveness: schools and families recognize and respect cultural diversity and are inclusive of all families.

7. Access to resources: families have access to resources and support, such as technology, materials, and information, to support their child's learning and development.

 

However, each level of education may have its own unique characteristics that reflect the developmental needs and goals of students at that stage:

​

• Elementary school: a focus on early childhood development is often emphasized, with families being supported in their role as their child's first and most important teacher.

​

• Middle school: a focus on helping students transition from childhood to adolescence, with a focus on academic preparation and social-emotional development.

​

• High school: a focus on preparing students for post-secondary education or the workforce, with a focus on college and career readiness.

​

Elementary Schools

High impact family engagement in elementary school typically includes the following activities such as:

• Back to School Night class meetings where parents and teachers share learning strategies and review key skills for students

• Regular two-way communication through calls/texts/emails to share progress and tips

• A staffed family center with workshops on learning strategies, referrals to social services and informal gatherings

• Relationship-building home visits by teachers, available for all families

• Story quilting workshops and poetry slams where parents, teachers and students share their stories and work

• Classroom observations with mini-lessons and weekly data-sharing folders going home with space for parent comments

• Student-led conferences with portfolios of student work, followed by 1:1 conversations about learning and goal-setting

• Tours of the school led by students and community walks led by parents and custodians

• School council having a voice in major decisions and supporting parent-initiated projects

• Candidate forums at Fun Fair where parents and students meet and ask questions about issues affecting families

• Parent leadership classes to help strengthen family capacity in navigating the system and being effective advocates.

 

Moderate Impact family engagement includes activities such as:

• Open House with parents touring the school and chatting with teachers, classroom visits, exhibits of student work

• Positive personal phone calls home, parent resource room with toys, games and books to borrow

• Coffee with the principal, muffins for moms, donuts with dads, school book club, authors' tea featuring student writers

• Interactive homework with tips for home learning, twice-a-year parent-teacher conferences available evenings and weekends

• Monthly breakfasts for new families, parent organization meetings with the principal to discuss suggestions, candidates for election invited to Fun Fair

• Adult learning evenings

 

Lower Impact family engagement includes activities such as:

• Back to School night in the auditorium with a panel of speakers and distribution of student handbooks and school calendars

• Robocalls about school events, generic school newsletters

• Potlucks and other traditional whole-school events, student performances, curriculum nights, parent-teacher conferences during workday

• Visiting school by appointment, suggestion box in the office, fall Fun Fair, parenting classes.