Outline of Presentation 1.Mission, Vision and Values for Task Force 2.Definition of Engagement 3.Explanation of Research-Informed Framework 4.Characteristics of Effective Engagement 5.The District’s Role 6.Strategies for Engagement 1.From Research 2.From Interviews 3.From Meetings

Mission, Vision and Values Mission To provide opportunities for sustainable and authentic family, school and community engagement that results in equitable outcomes in each region. Vision Each region will ensure a coherent and quality educational experience PK-8 and will organize the community resources to serve the children, youth and families to realize full service community schools in each community. Values LISTEN (everyone has a story, a purpose, a set of beliefs and values) ENGAGE (seek to understand and connect) ALIGN (everything is always context dependent) DELIVER (follow through on commitments and ensure people have what they need to transform results for adults and young people in our care)

What is Engagement and Who Participates? In service of the district’s vision to realize full service community schools that meet the needs of every child, engagement means recognition of the shared responsibility of families, schools and community in creating the conditions that support students to academic and social success

Community Schools Family Strategic, comprehensive, and continuous system of partnerships that begin at birth Comprehensive and linked complementary learning opportunities Shared responsibility for children’s education Research-Informed Framework: Sources: “With Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them”, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and “Barriers to College Attainment”, Center for American Progress

Characteristics of Effective Engagement SHARED RESPONSIBILITY Shared leadership and governance Commitment to access and equity Transparent accountability and continuous improvement Attention to service continuity Commitment and capacity for evaluation to support learning Ongoing professional development, organizational capacity- building

THE DISTRICT’S ROLE in building the structures that sustain family, school and community engagement: Welcoming all families and community partners Communicating effectively Supporting student success and making purposeful connections to learning Sharing power and collaborating with the community Maintaining and institutionalizing engagement

Type of EngagementDescriptionStrategies Information to Empower Breaking down data silos can facilitate shared responsibility for student success and empower families, schools and community to hold each other accountable for achieving the goals and outcomes they have agreed upon Using data in family involvement Example: New Visions for Public Schools Creation of a shared data system Example: Jefferson County Public Schools Leadership and Capacity-Building Providing families and community members the tools they need to support students’ learning and healthy development both at home and at school, and have regular opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and skills to do so effectively Parent leadership development Example: Tellin’ Stories Capacity- building school- CBO liaison Example: City Connects Community/ Education Organizing Education organizing allows families, school and community to articulate the shared vision they have for all children in the system by raising consciousness and increasing awareness of their collective power to affect change Base organizing on parent/ community concerns Example: Austin Interfaith Build social capital Example: Austin Interfaith Mobilize collective power Example: Austin Interfaith Overview of Research-Based Strategies for Engagement

CharacteristicsStrategies Intentionality Make consequences visible and have processes that seem fair Pay attention to implementation Acknowledge similarities across regions and differences within regions Understand cultural issues Share and learn from each other Set goals and organize around achieving them Promise and end date, follow timeline Relationship Building – Create time to build relationships One on one conversations Build trust Systems – Offer services for more than just kids Invest in personal connections in schools Use ELLs as mentors for the community Connect to CBOs and use their strengths Tap into city task forces Engagement rooted in community – Neighborhoods take responsibility for governing Use neighborhood art to tell story (murals) Involve youth Overview of Strategies for Engagement from One-on-Ones

CharacteristicsStrategies Be culturally competent! (Multilingual, multicultural) Check assumptions, no judgment Break down “isms” – show respect! Move folks around self interest Meet people where they are Respect people’s time Provide important/critical information Be responsive Serve families – Relieve stress at home so people want to engage Address needs of whole family Host more face to face meet and greets Provide job opportunities Build capacity, teach parents to be heard at schools Leverage community resources – Share community meetings at other organizations Identify strengths of community to find out what works and what doesn’t Provide resources and use referrals, collaborate Provide workshops to train parents, community members, school staff When meeting with community, bring folks who have existing relationships Results-oriented – Collective action to create change in our lives Train, support, and coordinate family engagement workers across district Overview of Strategies for Engagement from Meeting