”Collaboration is a mindset that says, of course I’m going to need the help of others to do my job well!” Sidney L. Gardner Module 3| The Power of Family/School/Community Partnerships 1

Definition Family and community engagement means strategies to increase the involvement and contributions, in both school-based and home based settings, of parents and community partners that are designed to support classroom instruction and increase student achievement. (School Improvement Grant (SIG) Legislation ) 2

What is a Community? A community can be defined as a conversation among people about things that are important to them. There is no community apart from conversation. But not just any kind of conversation will do. Effective communities talk differently in order to generate shared knowledge. Effective communities appear to be different, not because of economic or demographic or regional factor, but because they are simply better educated as a community. That is, they are good at educating the whole community about the community’s business. 3

Keys to Powerful Partnerships Building Relationships: A steady focus on developing trust and respect among all members of the school community is linked to higher performance. Linking to Learning: When parent and community involvement is focused on student learning it has a greater effect on achievement. 4

What is the next Generation? Parent Engagement 1.0 Parent Conferences Health Fairs Workshops Fun Nights Heritage Festivals “Drive By” Professional Development Parent Engagement 2.0 Home visits Community Walks Parent University, Institutes or Leadership training Organizing Community Linkage to outside partners Systematic professional development FCE competencies as part of evaluation, certification, licensure (Institute for Educational Leadership) 5

Collaboration Collaboration means Working out how to Work together. 6

Collaboration Stages and Milestones Stage 1: Getting together Evaluate the progress Set initial ground rules Involve the right people Decide to act Reflect and celebrate Together We Can: A guide for Crafting a Profamily System of Education and Human Service) Step 2: Build trust and ownership Evaluate the progress Identify planning resources Revisit and revise ground rules Commit to elaborate Define shared vision Develop common base of knowledge Engage partner Reflect and celebrate 7

Collaboration Stages and Milestones (2) Stage 3: Developing a Strategic Plan Evaluate the progress Develop a plan of action Evaluate and select strategies Establish well formed goals Assess the environment and the collaboratives capabilities Develop a mission statement Reflect and celebrate Step 4: Taking Action Evaluate the progress Adapt and expand initiative Deepen collaborative culture Implement plan of action Formalize interagency relationships Reflect and celebrate Together We Can: A guide for Crafting a Profamily System of Education and Human Service) 8

Qualities and Skills of Collaborative Leaders Listening and communicating Building visions Risk-taking Respect for diversity Knowledge and skills in group process Conflict management Organized/decisive Consensus building Motivational/passionate Empowering Reflective Flexible Knowledgeable about other systems 9 Source: Institute for Educational Leadership. Leadership for Collaboration: A National Dialogue. Washington, DC From: Home-School-Community Relations. Training Manual & Student Guide. By Larry E. Decker & Associates. Mid- Atlantic Center for Community Education. University of Virginia March p

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATIVES A shared vision, written goals, and objectives A commitment of top-level institutional support and visibility A willingness to cross traditional institutional boundaries A willingness to be flexible, to subordinate traditional roles, and to adopt new ones 10 Source: ERIC Review, vol.2, Issue 2, Fall 1992