Planning & Implementing Systemic Engagement Practice

1. FACE Symposium- 2013 Michele P Brooks M.Ed Assistant Superintendent , Office of Family & Student Engagement Boston Public Schools Planning & Implementing Systemic Engagement Practice

2. From program to practice Linked to core enterprise – student achievement Shared Responsibility and Accountability climate and culture alignment Systemic Engagement

3. Core beliefs and clearly articulated goals Rituals and norms embedded in school culture Expectations and accountability Time and resource allocation Conditions for Engagement

4. Inventory – what is already in place? • Capacity • who or what resources currently are in place? • What do we do well? • What are the challenges? • Where are the gaps? Preparing to Build Capacity

5. Shared Vision aligned to district/school goals • Grounded in a set of core beliefs • Clearly defined Mission supported by a framework or standards with measurable outcomes • Identify key stakeholders • Define roles, responsibilities and outcomes Define the Work

6. “Every school will welcome every family and every student, actively engaging them as partners in student learning and school improvement” BPS Vision for Family & Student Engagement

7. Capacity Building of Schools of Families of Students of the District Define the Work

8. Theory of Action - Strategic Planning • Alignment with Policies, Requirements and Protocols • Federal, state and local mandates • District Policies/Priorities • Organizational structures • Stakeholder engagement • Resource allocation Organize the Work

9. Building Capacity for Engagement

10. BPS Standards for Family & Student Engagement 5-Core Elements for Family & Student Engagement Policy Alignment Engagement Needs Assessment Organize the Work

11. Capacity Building Model - Implementation • Tools for Engagement: • Strategies, Supports, Resources and Tools designed to align and build on current practice • Identify exemplars of effective practice • Review practice and promote continuous improvement through evaluation Facilitate the Work

12. High Impact Strategies that link Engagement to Student Learning • The strategy focuses on a specific group of students (such as all 1st grade students or students struggling with a specific math concept) • It is organized around a specific learning task (such as learning 100 high frequency words) • It has a home learning activity that engages parents to help students with the learning task (such as flash cards or a game) • There is two-way communication between parent and teacher regarding student progress with the learning task and celebrating success Facilitate the Work High Impact Strategies for linking Family Engagement to Learning

13. FacilitatE the Work:The Tools of Engagement • Family Learning Guides • Teachers Guide to Engaging Families in the Classroom Grades K-5 • Family Friendly Toolkit • School Climate Surveys • Student’s Rights & Responsibilities • Teacher/Principal Professional Development aligned to Evaluation

14. PARENT UNIVERSITY • Parents Are Teachers • Child Development • Parenting Strategies • Supporting Learning from Birth to Five • Parents Are Advocates • Navigating the BPS • Learning Standards • Advocating for Children with Disabilities and English Language Learners • Parents Are Leaders • Leadership Skills • School Parent Council/ School Site Council • Organizing Skills • Parents Are Learners • Areas requested by parents • Nutrition • Money Management

15. Parents Are Powerful! Preparing Parents to become Powerful Partners for Student Learning and School Improvement