Family & Community Engagement Plan
“Family engagement” means a partnership with shared responsibility among families, educational staff, and community groups to promote each student’s learning, well-being, and development of full educational potential during their entire K-12 experience.
(1) The local board of trustees shall implement a comprehensive family and community engagement plan that:
(a) is aligned to the district integrated strategic action plan required in ARM 10.55.601;
(b) includes effective engagement practices that are linked to relational, developmental, collaborative, and interactive learning;
(c) recognizes that family and school staff have a shared responsibility in the learning of their child(ren) as evidenced by the following core beliefs:
(i) families have dreams for their children and want the best for them;
(ii) all families have the capacity to support their children's learning;
(iii) family and school staff are partners; and
(iv) the responsibility for cultivating and sustaining an inviting and inclusive climate rests primarily with school staff; and
(d) meets the following goals:
(i) families actively participate in the life of the school and are welcomed, valued, and connected to each other, to school staff, and to what students are learning and doing in class;
(ii) families and school staff engage in regular, two-way meaningful communication about student learning;
(iii) families and school staff continuously collaborate to support student learning and healthy development both at home and at school and have regular opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and skills to do so effectively;
(iv) families and school staff are empowered to advocate for children, to ensure that students are treated equitably and have access to learning opportunities that will support their success;
(v) families and school staff partner in decisions that affect children and families and together inform and influence policies, practices, and programs;
(vi) families and school staff collaborate with members of the community to connect students, families, and staff to expand learning opportunities, community services, and civic participation; and
(vii) families and school staff collaborate with members of the community to connect students, families, and staff to post-secondary education opportunities, including workforce training, apprenticeship opportunities, career pathways, and degree programs, and encourage students to explore college and career planning tools (including Free Application for Federal Student Aid completion) and incentives provided by post-secondary institutions.
What are the key components of the family and community engagement plan?
The plan is aligned to the district integrated action plan required in ARM 10.55.601.
The plan includes effective engagement practices that are linked to relational, developmental, collaborative, and interactive learning.
The family and school staff have a shared responsibility in the learning of their child(ren).
The plan meets the goals as outlined in ARM 10.55.722.
Questions
Provide evidence of family and community engagement opportunities that supports families' understanding of how to support their child's academic progress.
Identify the ways in which families and school staff collaborate with members of the community to connect students, families, and staff to expand learning opportunities, community services, and civic participation.
Provide measurable evidence that families and school staff collaborate with members of the community to connect students, families, and staff to post-secondary education opportunities. These post-secondary opportunities include workforce development, apprenticeship opportunities, career pathways, and degree programs, and encourage students to explore college and career planning tools (including Free Application for Federal Student Aid completion) and incentives provided by post-secondary institutions.
Evidence Examples
FAFSA Poster Template.docx.pdfFASFA Event Poster
Family and Community Engagement Agenda.pdfSample Agenda
College-Fair-English.pdfCollege & Career Fair
Family and community engagement plans in are essential for fostering collaborative partnerships between schools, families, and the community. These plans outline strategies, activities, and goals to involve and engage families and community members in the educational process.
Here are a few examples of components that can be included in a family and community engagement plan:
Welcoming Environment:
Develop a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere in the school where families and community members feel valued and respected.
Organize orientation sessions for new families to familiarize them with the school's policies, procedures, and educational programs.
Create opportunities for families to connect with one another through social events and support networks.
Communication and Collaboration:
Establish effective communication channels between the school and families, such as newsletters, email updates, and a user-friendly school website.
Provide regular updates on students' progress, upcoming events, and opportunities for involvement.
Encourage two-way communication by seeking input from families and community members through surveys, suggestion boxes, and parent-teacher conferences.
Parent Education and Workshops:
Offer workshops and training sessions to support parents in understanding and navigating the educational system.
Provide resources and information on topics like child development, academic support at home, and college and career readiness.
Collaborate with community organizations to offer parenting classes, financial literacy workshops, and other relevant programs.
Volunteer and Mentoring Programs:
Create volunteer opportunities within the school, such as reading mentors, classroom helpers, and event organizers.
Establish partnerships with local businesses, universities, and community organizations to provide mentoring programs for students.
Recognize and appreciate the contributions of volunteers through awards, certificates, or appreciation events.
Family and Community Events:
Organize events that promote family and community engagement, such as multicultural fairs, science nights, and parent-teacher association meetings.
Collaborate with community partners to offer health fairs, career days, and educational workshops for families.
Celebrate student achievements and involve families in school-wide celebrations and performances.
Parent Advisory Councils:
Establish parent advisory councils or committees to provide a platform for parents to contribute to decision-making processes within the school.
Ensure diverse representation from various backgrounds and grade levels to ensure all voices are heard.
Hold regular meetings to discuss school policies, programs, and initiatives.
Evaluation and Improvement:
Conduct regular surveys to gather feedback from families and community members on their experience with the school's family and community engagement efforts.
Use the feedback collected to make improvements to the engagement plan and address any areas of concern or suggestions for enhancement.
Review the effectiveness of the plan annually and make adjustments as needed based on the changing needs of families, students, and the community.
Each family and community engagement plan should be tailored to the unique needs and context of the school and its community. By actively involving families and community members, schools can create a supportive and collaborative environment that enhances student success and well-being.
Example Family and Community Engagement Template
Example Family-Engagement-Plan-Template.docx.pdf