Family Engagement
All parents can and should participate meaningfully in their children’s education, including those whose children receive special education services. Research demonstrates that parent/family involvement significantly contributes to improved student outcomes. Engagement between family members and educators is seen through coordinated efforts as well as joint agenda setting and decision-making and is evidenced by higher levels of trust.
The Sacramento SELPA contracts with an Independent Facilitator to provide consultation and support to both educators and families to work effectively together and arrive at a mutually agreeable outcome.
Several programs and strategies implemented by the Poway Unified School District are highlighted in this Continuum Practice to show the benefits of taking a comprehensive and systemic approach to family engagement.
One strategy Minneapolis Public Schools employs is to empower parents from non-dominant cultures to lead evaluation efforts. Fifty one trained Parent Evaluators gather input from families who may be less inclined to share their perspectives with the school district.
The state of Maryland prioritizes family engagement. The Maryland State Department of Education supports and is a key member of the Maryland Family Engagement Coalition. This Coalition advocates in a unified voice for family engagement policies and practices in the state of Maryland and has dev