Outcomes Participants will…

TimeTopic 8:30Welcome and introductions Session overview What do equitable learning communities look and feel like for staff, students and families? Why is family-school partnerships important for student success? 10:15 Break What is my role in creating an inclusive learning community? What are key practices for creating positive family and community connections? 11:20 Adjourn Wrap up and Adjourn Agenda

District Equity Goal Staff and students will respect and understand the importance of diverse cultures by consciously creating inclusive and equitable learning environments and systems that value and engage all students and their families. District Responsiveness Goal The District will provide a culture and processes that are open, proactive, equitable and responsive to student needs and interests, (and that acknowledge the) contributions and concerns of families and the community.

Family-school connections and partnerships are important

What do equitable learning communities look and feel like? Equity Alliance at ASU7

Cultural Responsiveness is…

Understanding Culture as the Dynamic Ingredient in Human Interaction What people bring with them What’s already there What’s already there The work people do together The work people do together Cultural Histories The Institutional Culture The Culture We Create Equity Alliance at ASU

Understanding Culture as the Dynamic Ingredient in Human Interaction What people bring with them Cultural Histories Equity Alliance at ASU11

What is Culture?

Education Exploring personal identities Activity Equity Alliance at ASU13

Understanding Culture as the Dynamic Ingredient in Human Interaction What’s already there What’s already there The Institutional Culture Equity Alliance at ASU

Power, Privilege and Difference Privilege & Power

Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack In small group: – Discuss the article Key points Provocative statements – Generate a list of conditions of privilege that your assigned group may experience. Power & Privilege Activity

Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack Group Discussion Groups 1.White 2.English Language Proficiency 3.Middle Class SES 4.Male

Understanding Culture as the Dynamic Ingredient in Human Interaction The work people do together The work people do together The Culture We Create Equity Alliance at ASU

An Appreciative Perspective of Family Diversity

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Socio-Historical Context

Challenges Facing Schools and Families

Explanations for Achievement Disparities Au, 1998

Access to Resources AP and IB Course Fees. Access to Resources AP and IB Course Fees. School/District Policies Identification procedures for Gifted Programs that include cut of scores on standardized test. School/District Policies Identification procedures for Gifted Programs that include cut of scores on standardized test. Educators’ Beliefs Parents who care about their children’s education attend parent-teacher conferences. Educators’ Beliefs Parents who care about their children’s education attend parent-teacher conferences. Gaps in opportunities present challenges for students and families. Lack of information “The student’s parents don’t speak English. I can’t communicate with them.” Lack of information “The student’s parents don’t speak English. I can’t communicate with them.” School/District Practices Housing New Comers Program in one school in the district. Students attend that school, irrespective of their neighborhood. School/District Practices Housing New Comers Program in one school in the district. Students attend that school, irrespective of their neighborhood.

Diverse Perspectives About Parent – Teacher Role

Barriers to School-Family Partnerships

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Culturally responsive family engagement includes three key qualities: 1. Focusing on building trusting, collaborative relationships among teachers, families, and community members 2. Recognizing, respecting, and addressing families' strengths and needs, as well as class and cultural differences 3. Embracing a philosophy of partnership where power and responsibility are shared

Transcending Barriers

Inviting facilities Availability and Time Two-way communication with Families Varied and frequent opportunities for positive interactions Engaging families in their students’ learning experiences Establishing a welcoming and family friendly school community

Understanding differences in communication styles Capacity to address language diversity

Increasing families’ accessibility to information

Culturally Responsive Strategies to Increase Family-School Partnerships

Tools for Learning

Equity exists, in part, to the degree that all students feel they belong, are included, and are empowered.