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Family engagement is important for student development and learning. Research shows that positive relationships between families, schools, and teachers can boost student motivation, behavior, and overall performance. When families are involved in a student's education through communication with teachers, understanding goals, and feeling welcome at school, students benefit academically and socially. Teachers can build relationships with families through introductory letters, meeting events, regular newsletters, and student-led conferences. Schools also provide information to families through various resources and communication methods.

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2

Family engagement is important for student development and learning. Research shows that positive relationships between families, schools, and teachers can boost student motivation, behavior, and overall performance. When families are involved in a student's education through communication with teachers, understanding goals, and feeling welcome at school, students benefit academically and socially. Teachers can build relationships with families through introductory letters, meeting events, regular newsletters, and student-led conferences. Schools also provide information to families through various resources and communication methods.

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Theme II: Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Education

Section 2.1: Family engagement

4.6.1- Describe the advantages and importance of family or caregiver involvement


in learner development.

An important aspect of being an effective teacher involves including parents and

caregivers in a student’s educational experience. According to the book ​Home-School

Relations, ​“Researchers have evidence for the positive effects of parent involvement on

children, families, and schools when schools and parents continuously support and

encourage the children's learning and development (Eccles & Harold, 1993; Illinois

State Board of Education, 1993)” (Evidence; 2.1.1). Relationships and engagement

need to extend beyond just “teacher-student”. Family engagement is essential in

facilitating maximum learning for all students.

A student’s overall performance benefits from a strong relationship between

schools and families. A student is more motivated when they know the teacher cares

enough to communicate with the parents. When the teacher communicates with the

parents they can better understand the teacher’s goals for their child. After a positive

teacher-student relationship has been created, students will be more willing to take

risks. These risks or moments of vulnerability allow the teacher to see under the

iceberg, which means seeing more than what is evident by the child’s behavior

(Evidencie; 2.1.2). A good relationship with the family will encourage students to have

more appropriate behavior at school which will lower the chances of discipline problems

in the classroom.
When a teacher has a good relationship with the student’s parents, the parents are

more willing to approach the teacher with their concerns and become more receptive

when the teacher has a concern. Also with this connection, the parents feel welcome

inside the classroom and can help their kids at home with confidence. All the

information shared by (Evidence; 2.1.3 Mrs. Davis, Communications Director OLSD)

shows that connections with students, parents, and teachers play a very important role

in the overall success of a child's education.

There are multiple ways for a teacher to build a relationship with the family. At

the start of my field placements, I wrote a letter introducing myself to the

parents/families (Evidence; 2.1.4). I also created a “Meet the Teacher” page that I could

share with students and parents before the start of a school year or at an open house

(Evidence; 2.1.5). I also created a newsletter that I would send home once a week that

would have important information on it about that week (Evidence; 2.1.6). Finally, I

created a student-led parent teacher conference where the parents are invited to come

into the classroom and see how their student is performing (Evidence; 2.1.7). At the

building level, schools also provide many ways for parents to obtain information. They

offer a newsletter, email, and website for parents to access this information (Evidence;

2.1.3). Finally, the district level offers information mainly through social media and the

internet. They also send a hard copy newsletter three times a year and hold events

(Evidence; 2.1.3).

Family engagement is a key factor for a student to be successful in the

classroom. There are multiple ways this can be done from the district level and building
level, as well as in the classroom. “According to Henderson and Berla (1994), ‘the most

accurate predictor of a student's achievement in school is not income or social status

but the extent to which that student's family is able to: create a home environment that

encourages learning, express high (but not unrealistic) expectations for their children’s

achievement and future careers, and become involved in their children's education at

school and in the community’ (p. 160)” (Evidence; 2.1.1).

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