Studies of effective and systemic partnerships between school, family and community show common characteristics: Although treatment-type initiatives encourage some students to come to school, family and community involvement in the school experience has been shown to have a greater influence on student participation. Families who monitor students` whereabouts, talk to their children about school, volunteering and participating in the Parents` and Teachers` Association (PTA) encourage the reduction of student absenteeism. Schools can support families by organizing workshops where they teach students how to talk about school and by working with local organizations to deliver after-school programs. Parental and community engagement has long been at the centre of schools` concerns. However, parental involvement in education tends to decline as children progress through the classroom, with a dramatic decline once students reach middle school. In 2016, 90% of students in grades three to five had a parent attending a parent-teacher conference, compared to 73% of high school students. Lack of parental involvement is seen by teachers, administrators and the public as the biggest problem facing schools, which is why it is crucial for districts to evaluate their family and community initiatives to encourage greater participation. Schools that engage families and community members see a statistically significant increase in their reputation; Schools deserve the support of parents when they strive to make parents feel comfortable at school. When strong partnerships between family, school and community lead to better academic outcomes, attendance and family comfort, school becomes known as a valuable place to receive education and support for students. Research shows that strong relationships between schools, families and community members can have a positive impact on student achievement and outcomes. Increased family participation in schools is strongly associated with faster rates of literacy acquisition among children, increased rates of progression to secondary education and reduced drop-out rates. When families are aware of and encourage strict courses, students are more likely to enroll in tests and score higher. Schools differ significantly in their commitment to family-school partnerships and in the energy and skills they apply to them.
Developing family-school partnerships is not always easy. It takes commitment and time. Due to pressures and circumstances, many families need special arrangements or additional support so that they can actively participate in their children`s school life and help their children get the most out of school. Research shows that effective schools have a high level of parental and social engagement. This commitment is strongly linked to improving student learning, attendance and behaviour. Family involvement can have a huge impact on student learning, regardless of the family`s social or cultural background. The goal of these school, family and community partnerships is to support student success in school and in life. The purpose of the Parent Trust Fund is to support programs to improve the health, safety and education of children by training parents in civic leadership skills and supporting enhanced, sustainable and high-quality parental engagement in community affairs, and by creating an infrastructure for family and community engagement demonstrates a commitment to supporting students and a positive connection between home and school. Some schools, whose reputations have been reversed through increased engagement, have hired people who had personal ties to the community to lead community engagement initiatives. Staff can also improve the school`s reputation by conducting regular school climate surveys that are sent to families and community members to understand how they perceive the school environment, academic offerings, and student support. The transition to partnerships requires a significant change in the attitudes of some schools and families in order to create relationships in which they see themselves as allies in the field of education.
Community partnerships refer to how schools develop and maintain meaningful interactive relationships with their diverse communities (i.e., parent, education, civic, and business groups) so that all members understand and contribute to child support work. The goal of the Office of Family-School and Community Partnerships is to foster lasting and effective partnerships among all members of the school community, including teachers, families and students. Schools may want to involve families and community members in the student school experience, but may not understand their needs, interests, and ideas about partnerships. Many parents point to busy schedules that prevent time to volunteer or study, while others point to their dissatisfaction with school communication. These parents report that they do not have the know-how and resources to support their child and that they are frustrated with bureaucracies and school policies that are difficult to understand. In addition, schools may not take into account linguistic or cultural differences or the needs of single parents, grandparents or foster parents, making caregivers uncomfortable at school. 15% of public school teachers say student absenteeism is a “serious problem” in their school. Large classrooms and students who perceive classrooms as chaotic, indifferent, or boring are associated with student absenteeism, with many schools offering incentives such as pizza nights to encourage good participation.
Transform: Practices reflect the ability of schools, families and communities to have meaningful relationships with each other and impact each other. The family`s commitment to schools is therefore essential to high-quality education and is part of the core business of schools. When schools, families and the community work together, children benefit. School staff, families and community members each make an important contribution to student development and success, and they achieve the best results when the three work together as equal partners. By engaging family and community members in students` school experiences, districts can actively support student development and learning and improve school practices and procedures by identifying traits that best support students. Read on to find out how strong partnerships between family, school, and community help improve student performance, improve attendance and behavior, improve staff understanding of family and community needs, and build a better reputation in the school. .