Engaging Families and the Community in Schools

Why should I care about family and community involvement in schools?

Schools, parents, and the community should work together to promote the health, well being, and learning of all students. When schools actively involve parents and engage community resources they are able to respond more effectively to the health-related needs of students.

Family and community involvements foster partnerships among schools, family and community groups, and individuals. These partnerships result in sharing and maximizing resources, and they help children and youth develop healthy behaviors and promote healthy families.

Research shows that students whose parents are involved in their education are more likely to:

• Adapt well to school
• Attend school more regularly
• Complete homework more consistently
• Earn higher grades and test scores
• Graduate and go on to college
• Have better social skills
• Show improved behavior
• Have better relationships with their parents
• Have higher self-esteem

Additionally, linking community activities to the classroom

• Improves school-related behaviors
• Positively impacts academic achievement
• Reduces school suspension rates

(New Hampshire Department of Education, 2017)

Goals and Objectives Challenge Initial Thoughts Perspectives and Resources Standards for Family & Community Partnerships Evaluating Barriers to Family Partnerships Creating an Implementation Plan Successful Implementations Wrap Up Summary and Assessment References About this PLM