Presented by Pamdora Williams LaSPDG Staff
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Transcript of Presented by Pamdora Williams LaSPDG Staff
From Expected to Effective: Strategies to assess and modify
communication efforts that support partnerships with families
Presented by Pamdora WilliamsLaSPDG Staffwww.laspdg.org
@laspdg
Considerations
• This webinar is being recorded and will be available for viewing at www.laspdg.org under
Family Engagement Webinars 2013-2014• If you need to ask a question, please use the Chat Pod
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Roll Call
• If you have not already done so, please use your chat pod and type your district/LEA that you are representing
• If multiple people are in the room with you viewing this webinar, please type their names as well
People First Language
Kathie Snow. (n.d.) A few words about People First Language. Disability is Natural. Retrieved August 1, 2012 from http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/images/PDF/pfl-sh09.pdf
“People First Language puts the person before the disability and describes what a person has, not who a person is.”
Family Engagement: New Perspectives, New Definition
The research is abundantly clear: nothing motivates a child more than when learning is valued by schools and families/community
working together in partnership…These forms of [parent] involvement do not happen by accident or even by invitation. They
happen by explicit strategic intervention”
-Michael Fullan (1997 a, pp.42-43)
Shifts in Perceptions about Family Engagement
Old Lens
Current Lens
Systemic
Random Acts
Compliance
Add-OnOne-Time Project
Events Driven
Individual Responsibility
Deficit-Based/Adversarial
Strength-Based/Collaborative Sustained
Outcome Driven
Ownership & Continuous Improvement
Integrated
Shared Responsibility
family engagement – transformation definition
S e a r c h Web Search I’m Feeling Lucky
Family Engagement definitionwww.laspdg.orgFamily Engagement is the interaction between schools and families and the degree to which families are engaged in the educational lives of their children.
Family Engagement definitionwww.laspdg.orgA well thought out process involving the entire school community, NOT a series of events to involve families….
Family Engagement definitionwww.laspdg.orgA set of day-to-day practices, attitudes, beliefs and interactions that support learning at home as well as at school, NOT a one-time program
Family Engagement Transformation DefinitionFamily engagement is a shared responsibility of families, schools and communities for student learning and achievement; it is continuous from birth to young adulthood; and it occurs across multiple settings where children learn.
Family Engagement
COMMUNICATIONStating a Case for Investing in Strategic Home - School Communication
School diversity
Crisis Response
Inclusion
New Discipline Procedures
Safe-Schools
RtI
Anti-Bullying Policies
Testing
School Calendar
Achievement Gaps
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Back-to-School Night
Emails and text messages
Newsletters
School Websites
PTO/PTA
Conversations in the office lobby
Conversations in the community
Formal & Informal
Communication Conversations during arrival and dismissal
Notes home
Behavior
Grades & Student Progress Open House
Flyers
Goal & Objectives
Goal: Identify effective strategies to assess and modify communication efforts with families
Objectives:– Gain knowledge of the components of an effective communication plan for families– Gain knowledge of strategies and resources in order to assess and modify current
communication efforts with families
Also, tools, resources & promising practices to support your work!
What is Communication?Communication is a message sent and a
message received
When communicating messages about school programs and student progress, ensure that the communication:• is two-way • is multi-layered• uses multiple channels• connects schools, families, students
and the community.• is an ongoing process
Poll
Which is the largest contributor to the communication gap for your families?
Work scheduleChild CareLanguage Do not understand the systemNegative past experiences with schools
Contributors to Communication Gap
Families• Work schedule• Transportation• Child care• Language barriers• School viewed as an
unwelcoming place• Lack of outreach • Not understanding
the system
Contributors to Communication Gap
Schools/Teachers • Teacher time
limitations• Negative stereotypes• Lack of teacher
preparation
Benefits of school-home communication
• Increases trust between schools and families• Encourages higher and realistic parental
expectations• Serves as the foundation to other types of
family engagement • Leads to higher degree of family commitment • Puts everyone on the “same page”
“We have always maintained that you never see our best work: it is what we do ahead of time to prevent the firestorm.
Use good communication to keep yourself out of trouble, so you don’t have to use it to mop up the mess!”
Why School Communication Matters, pg. 59
A COMMUNICATION PLANStrategy 1
What is a communication plan?
A communication plan is a framework of goals,
strategies and activities.
Schools/districts would use a communication plan when it’s time to disseminate
information about a program or procedures and/or influence the behavior/practices of
families and community on the behalf of the school.
A communication plan can….
• Be simple or complex• Be a road map• Help anticipate and solve for problems
Is communication planning necessary?
• Helps to identify and close any communication gaps
• Keeps families on the same page and knowledgeable
• Improves transparency
Elements of a Communication Plan
Four areas to address in a plan• Topic & Frequency• Various Approaches• Two-Way/Feedback• Analysis & Evaluation
Communication PlanningCommunication Plan Questions to consider
Topic & Frequency • What is the topic?• Did we plan for more than one method to convey the key
message?• How often will this occur?• Do we have a clear purpose for this communication?• Who is responsible for managing?
Various Approaches • Is the method of communication offered in a variety of formats?
• Does it match the audience?• Are there other resources that may assist?• Have we made provisions for families who were unable
to attend an event?Two-Way/Feedback • How can families provide feedback?
Analysis & Evaluation • How will the feedback be analyzed & evaluated?• Who else can we share the feedback in the district?• How will the feedback impact future events/initiatives?
Written Communication
• Includes important information
• Is clear and detailed• Standard written language• Invites response and
feedback
Method
Verbal Communication
• Instructing • Following up• Asking for help• Revealing• Informally exchanging• Active Listening
Method
Teachers plan for all familiesNewsletters, website, parent teacher conferences, grade book
(for some students and families)Individual conferences as needed,
written communications addressing specific concerns, communication in
families everyday language,…
Home visits, “each one, take one”,
communication system that fits the
families’ needs
http://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/Topics/Other-Resources/Family-and-Community-Engagement/Framework-for-Building-Partnerships-Among-Schools/Communicating-with-Families.pdf.aspx
Univ
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Sel
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Inte
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Varied Approaches
Two-Way Communication
• Feedback loop makes communication two-way• Feedback and response system should be embedded in
communication efforts
Feedback
“We appreciate knowing that there are adequate opportunities for us to express our concerns and opinions about important issues impacting school.”
“Whenever I express my concerns and opinions, I know that they are seriously considered by school and district leaders.”
Feedback from families…
Reminders about two-way Communication
• Be consistent• Multiple opportunities to contact and/or respond• Consideration given to feedback and possible
adjustments made
Two-way communication honors family opinions, builds trust, and invites family partnerships!
Feedback
Let’s Chat!
Using the Chat Pod…share how you think the following
written communication could be transformed from expected to
effective?
Are your famlies fluent in
“Education-ese”?
“At Child-First Elementary, we hold attendance and punctuality to class as a fundamental priority in providing a sound educational experience for all inhabitants of our school. The OAT is responsible for processing all attendance and tardiness issues. Students parents, and guardians are responsible for directing such issues to OAT. Both habitual and unusual or catastrophic circumstances can all be effectively monitored and processed through OAT….”
POLL:
Are your families aware of ways they can support their child at
home?
Yes or No
Helpful Resources and Tools http://www.laspdg.org/content.cfm?id=308&schoolyearID=5
Common Core Road Maps for FamiliesCommunication Planning TemplateWritten Communication RubricQuick Tips: Verbal and Electronic
Communication
Use a planning framework for communicating almost any topic with families!
ASSESSStrategy 2: Assess Families’ Perceptions &
Preferences About Communication
Will be discussed during February 5, 2014 webinar
You Are Here!!!
Focus:▌On three levels of communication:
– School building to home
– Classroom to home
– School district to community
▌On communication content, delivery systems, and frequency of communication
Assessing Communication
Assessing communication efforts will: • measure effectiveness of communication
efforts• provide information about families’
perceptions and feelings• Serve as a baseline for developing a
communication plan• Protect against attitudes of complacency
Communication Survey
A communication survey can address…
• The school’s current communication patternso Overall effectiveness o Opportunities to make-up for parents who didn’t attend an
evento Enough support for support child with academics o Timeliness of notificationo Adequate ways to give feedbacko A person to contact for questions
• The families’ communication preferenceso Preferred methods of communicating informationo Suggestions for improvement
Poll
Which is the preferred method of communication according to families?
NewslettersSocial mediaParent portalEmail from the school/districtPhone calls
Parents’ preferred methods of communication
Increasing PreferenceIncreasing Preference
How parents want to communicate with school
http://www.nspra.org/
Consider Results From Existing Surveys to Families
Examples:• Title One parent survey• Survey during district/school accreditation
process• State Performance Plan (SPP) Indicator 8 survey • Event evaluation survey
Communicate feedback with the stakeholders!
Other ways to assess perceptions
• Organize feedback forums• Administer a quick communication survey
after a workshop or meeting• Generate a survey using Survey Monkey (
www.surveymonkey.com)
Helpful Tools and Practices! http://www.laspdg.org/content.cfm?id=418
Survey Toolkit:• assess 4 domains • 3 Surveys • scoring guide• promising practices
To view example questions/stems visit
https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/harvard-education-surveys
/
MODIFYStrategy 3: Modify Existing Communication Structures
Work SmarterNot Harder
Link to student learning Individualized Two way Incorporate follow-up
Open House or Conferences to
Conversations about Learning
Example: Sharing data with families
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT8J1uf97vs&list=UUvEdSQawiMKMU-muuc1j0YA
Obtain Feedback
School Newsletter to
Newsletter with request for feedback
Parent Workshopto
Parent and Child Time [PACT]
School website to
Website with family friendly zones
Title One Compactsto
Compacts linked to school goals
Helpful Resources and Toolshttp://www.laspdg.org/content.cfm?id=308&schoolyearID=5
Parent Teacher Conversations about Learning Protocol
Example Compact and quick tips
Will be discussed during February 5, 2014 webinar
REVIEW
Is communication planning necessary for building partnerships?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbyhao0FtaQ
A parent responds…..
Getting your school organized for Family and Community Engagement [FACE] _ Series
Let's FACE It! Part 1 Let's FACE It! Part 2 Engaging Families of Elementary StudentsEngaging Families of Middle & High School Students
Enhancing Partnerships with FamiliesAnne Henderson: Let's Go Beyond The Bake SaleCommunication with Families Building Home-School PartnershipsMaking Student and School Data Accessible and Meaningful to FamiliesUsing Technology to Improve Academic Success
Language Used in the HomesMy Dialect, My IdentityDialect or Disorder
Reminder: 2012-2013 Family Engagement Webinars on Demand !!!http://www.laspdg.org/content.cfm?id=308&schoolyearID=4
Virtual bookshelfhttp://www.laspdg.org/content.cfm?id=198
Building Capacity
• When you leave today, what will you do with this information?• How will you share it with others in your district?• When will you share it? (Timeline)
Note: If you are on the district leadership team, this information will be useful in completing your district’s LASPDG 5 Year Plan
Questions?
• Please use your chat pod if you have questions related to this presentation
• After this webinar, you may email questions to Pamdora Williams [email protected]
The contents of this PowerPoint presentation were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H323A110003. However those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
www.laspdg.org
We Want Your Feedback!
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• If you have pop up blockers enabled, it may not show on your screen, so you can go to the link directly at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/fewebinar10_9_13