Review Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 11/12/2021 - 7:00 PM
Category: School and Community Relations
Type: Info
Subject: School Family Engagement Framework and Blueprints
ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 5: Family and Community Engagement
ACPS will ensure that all families and community members feel welcomed, respected, and valued.
Policy: KA - Goals for School Community Parent Relations
Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
File Attachment:
211112_Board_Brief_Family_Engagement_School_Blueprints_v2.pdf
211112_Att1_ACPS_Family_Engagement_Evaluation_200220.pdf
211112_Att2_Dual_Capacity_Building_Framework_Family_School_Partnerships.pdf
211112_Att3_ACPS_FACE_Blueprint_Framework.pdf
211112_Att4_Assessment_and_Rubric.pdf
Agenda Item Summary: The Family Engagement Blueprint Action Plan (FEBAP) is a strategic starting point for schools and leaders committed to strengthening ongoing efforts and mechanisms designed to engage families and create an on-going culture of best practice family engagement (FE). These plans will be linked to learning for all families and support academic success for all students. The FEBAP process will assist schools to navigate the shifts needed to move from status quo family involvement events to transformative and ongoing family engagement mechanisms that are co-designed with families that represent the full diversity of the school community. The FEBAP process follows the Department of Education FE Dual Capacity Framework and ACPS Family Engagement Policy and is an ongoing process with dedicated staff, training time and leaders. The FEBAP process and the template may be useful for any school, particularly if a school participates in programs (21st Century Community Learning Centers, Special Education, etc.) that have specific family or stakeholder engagement requirements. Leaders will want to ensure that the family engagement action planning aligns and includes all programs and grant specific requirements.
Background: Practicing equitable family engagement requires an intentional, long-term effort to change ingrained perceptions, beliefs and regular practices of school and division staff. For years, the FACE team has been working towards creating equitable family engagement practices in all schools. However, we have found that there is a lack of understanding across the district about best practice family engagement and what elements are important to implement at each and every level. Providing training, while working collaboratively with school leadership, will ensure equitable family engagement opportunities across the school division. Establishing a shared responsibility for family engagement requires school leaders to commit to learning from-and-with families about how to effectively engage with each other over time, rather than approaching engagement as a “top-down” initiative. This may require school leaders to codify equitable family engagement as a major component of their school success criteria, for example:
● Clearly articulating a vision for equitable family engagement
● Requiring all staff to attend and complete family engagement development training
● Establishing family engagement standards and holding school leadership accountable for meeting these standards
● Supporting staff in developing new mindsets, skills and practices related to equitable family engagement practices
Recommendation: The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review this plan to familiarize themselves with the process and instruments being used to support and realize the fulfillment of the ACPS Strategic Goal 5: Family and Community Engagement.
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Kurt Huffman - Executive Director, Community Partnerships and Engagement
Signed By:
Julia Burgos - Chief of School and Community Relations
Signed By:
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. - Superintendent