Family Engagement
Teachers, administrators, and other school personnel will find relevant and valuable tools and resources here for strengthening bonds between schools, families, and communities.
Supporting Families to Boost Students’ Success
Addressing the financial, social, and emotional wellness of preschoolers’ families supports the students’ progress in school.Giving the Gift of Literacy
When parents ask for reading suggestions for their kids, here’s a handy list you can share, broken down by grade.5 Strategies for a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference
Parent-teacher conferences don’t have to be such a headache. Educators weigh in on how to solve common problems.Designing a Public School From Scratch
On a mission to reimagine traditional schooling, a K–8 school in San Diego puts teachers and students at the center.Parent Workshops: Strengthening the Learning Community
During in-school workshops, parents learn what their kids are studying and how to support it at home.The Power of the Positive Phone Call Home
Calling students’ parents or guardians with good news encourages more good behavior and creates strong teacher-student bonds.Homework vs. No Homework Is the Wrong Question
Does your school have a homework policy? How does your school ensure that teachers don't overload students with busy work?7 Questions to Ask Parents at the Beginning of the Year
As a beginning teacher I knew that it was important to connect with parents and to build a positive relationship with them, but at times I wasn't sure how to do this. In retrospect, I wish I'd asked more questions about their child and then listened more to what they had to say. After twenty years of experience and after sending my own child off to school, here are some questions I'd ask parents with the intention of building a partnership to support their child's learning.5 Resources for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Browse a curated list of resources for improving parent-teacher conferences, including ideas for highlighting student progress, ways to encourage students to take the lead, and questions every parent should ask.Research Trends: Why Homework Should Be Balanced
Research suggests that while homework can be an effective learning tool, assigning too much can lower student performance and interfere with other important activities.3 Ways to Make Meaningful Connections With Your Students
Edutopia blogger Nick Provenzano believes there's more to teaching than dispensing curriculum, and he shares three practices that lead students and their families to trust him on a personal level.Freeing Students—and Teachers—From Homework
A second-grade teacher explains how she got rid of mandatory homework—and the surprising results she found when she did.Tips for Parent-Teacher Conferencing
Check out these useful suggestions for teachers when sitting down with parents.