Frankfort, Kentucky – A recent report reveals significant advancements in family engagement within Kentucky schools, resulting in improved teacher satisfaction and greater family involvement. The findings come from a five-year initiative spearheaded by the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, in conjunction with the NYU Metro Center’s Center for Policy, Research, and Evaluation.
The report highlights that intentional strategies implemented in schools enhance families’ understanding of the education system and empower them to collaborate more effectively with educators. “These initial findings validate the strength of the family engagement work happening in schools across Kentucky,” remarked the Prichard Committee’s President & CEO.
Completed between 2020 and 2023, the Kentucky Collaborative for Families and Schools included funding from the U.S. Department of Education, resulting in the Family Friendly Schools Certification process. The report emphasizes the importance of combining evidence-based practices with local community insights to foster sustainable family-school partnerships, according to Dr. Joanna Geller, who led the study.
Key findings from the report reveal that teachers have significantly increased their outreach efforts, with notable improvements in communication regarding student learning and encouragement for parental involvement. Families reported a marked rise in participation, including a 25% increase in attendance at family events and a 22% increase in volunteering.
Furthermore, educators who participated in training programs to enhance family engagement exhibited almost double the confidence in effective engagement strategies compared to those who did not participate. They also reported heightened job satisfaction.
Brooke Gill, the director of the Kentucky Collaborative for Families and Schools, emphasized the profound ripple effect of prioritizing family partnerships in education. The report calls for schools across the state to prioritize creating authentic connections with families.
Despite the strides made, the report identified disparities in outreach, particularly impacting families of color and those with lower incomes, who reported feeling less welcomed by schools. As efforts to improve family engagement continue, fostering inclusivity and support for all families remains critical.
The findings suggest a promising future for family engagement in Kentucky schools, with plans to expand the Family Friendly Schools Certification and explore further initiatives. The research aims to illustrate the long-term benefits of these partnerships on student outcomes in the coming years.
