Family Engagement Framework
The Oklahoma Family Engagement Framework has been influenced by state level data, existing research, and best practices, including The Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships. It was developed by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) Family and Community Engagement Workgroup with support from the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE).
Introduction
A framework is an essential support structure, an organizing tool to build upon. It brings research and local experience together to create a vision for family engagement. Oklahoma's framework invites families, schools, and communities to partner to support student learning.
Definition
At the heart of family engagement is a focus on the inclusion of all families as equal partners in their children's learning.
- We believe family engagement should be designed to remove barriers, improve access and opportunities, and improve knowledge and skills so that all families can be partners in the education of their children.
- We believe all families have hopes and dreams for their children and want the best for them.
- We believe all students can grow and all schools can improve.
The first step in developing the framework was to establish a unifying, statewide definition for family engagement. This definition creates a common language to guide discussion in schools and communities.
Family and Community Engagement is a shared responsibility among families, schools, and communities to build relationships that support a child's learning and growth from birth through college and career.
- Family is a group of persons dedicated to the well-being of a child(ren) and may include parents, grandparents, extended family members, caregivers, or any responsible individual.
- Schools are a group of persons inclusive of all staff within a school and district.
- Community is a group of people who share common attitudes, interests, goals, or geographic areas.
- Relationships are the meaningful, equitable, and culturally responsive interactions among families, educators, and community partners that provide opportunities to
listen to, work with, and learn from each other as full and equal partners.
Continuous Improvement
Family Engagement is relationship focused - people focused. It is not a program, activity, or event. The work of family engagement is ongoing, dynamic, and inclusive of all families. The continuous improvement process helps organizations review current practices, determine their impact, and guide changes to engage every family.
Family engagement is not an initiative, it's a culture - a belief system. It is never about doing more but about doing what we already do - only differently.
- Dr. Steven Constantino
Pathways
From the research around Family Engagement, Oklahoma has developed four essential pathways to help every district, school, and community determine where they are and move forward in a meaningful way. Each pathway is designed around the continuous improvement process – Plan, Do, Review.
- Plan: A discovery process helps collect information around family engagement and identify gaps.
- Do: Guiding questions help ensure family engagement efforts are on track.
- Review: Reflection on the pathways helps determine next steps to engage every family.
The implementation of these four pathways will establish strong family, school, and community partnerships.
