Family Engagement is the mutual responsibility of families, schools, and communities; which builds relationships to support student learning and achievement to support family well-being, family-student relationships and ongoing learning and development of children, families, and educators. -Texas Education Agency

Family Engagement Plan

To help achieve and maintain high levels of family engagement, involvement, and positive family attitudes toward education. -Texas Education Agency

Definition of Family

Family includes adults and children significant in the child’s life who support the early learning and development of the child. -Texas Education Agency

Goals

The following are the Family Engagement Plan Goals to assist with achieving and maintaining high levels of family engagement, involvement, and creating positive family attitudes toward education in the United Independent School District Elementary Schools:

I. Facilitate Family-to-Family Support

• Provide Two Pre-K Family-to-Family Parent Bilingual Engagement/Learning Sessions

II. Increase Family Participation in Decision Making

• Implement a United ISD Early Childhood Advisory Group and their GOALS

III. Establish a Network of Community Resources

• Provide a Bilingual School-Home Content Connection – The United ISD Pre-K Toolkit, which will Equip Families with Resources to Enhance and Extend Learning

IV. Specific Professional Development Opportunities for Educators

• Provide ongoing Professional Development (PD) for Educators on culturally responsive, evidence-based strategies that support the education of the child

V. Evaluate Family Engagement Efforts For Continuous Improvement[/dt_highlight]

• United ISD will use a two-fold approach to program evaluation: Formative and Summative Evaluations

Families work together with caregivers & teachers to create an atmosphere that strengthens learning both at the program & in the home. It includes the many ways that family members can influence children's education.

-Publications Series › Early Childhood Digests

Benefits of Parental Involvement

• Improved School Attendance
• Improved Student Sense of Well-being
• Improved Student Behavior
• Better Parent & Student Perceptions of Classroom & School Climate
• Readiness to Complete Homework
• Higher Educational Aspirations Among Students & Parents
• Better Student Grades
• Increased Educational Productivity & Time That Parents & Students Spend Together
• Greater Parent Satisfaction With Teachers

Communication

• Effective Forms of Communication:
  • School-home & home-school communication for school programs, child's progress, registration, etc.
  • Improved Student Behavior
  • Better Parent & Student Perceptions of Classroom & School Climate
  • Readiness to Complete Homework
• Communication Resources, Guides, and Other Information Links please visit our district Parent Resources page.

Parenting

• Assist all families in establishing home environments that support children as students:
  • Parent education & other parent courses, tips, & training (GED, college credit, family literacy, etc.)
  • Family support programs assisting with health, nutrition, etc.
  • Transition school visits (pre-school, elementary, middle, & high school)
  • Parenting Skills - Encyclopedia ECE Development
  • Head Start: Family Engagement: English | Español
  • NAEYC for Families
• Parenting Resources, Guides, and Other Information Links:
  • TXAEYC for Families
  • ACE International
  • Military Child Ed. Coalition: Parent & Child
  • NA Family Child Care
  • NAGC for Parents
  • Zero to Three: English | Español
  • Administration on Children, Youth & Families (ACYF)
  • Office of Early Childhood Development (ECD)
  • TX Services: Students with Disabilities (Ages 3-5)
  • Laredo College
  • TAMIU
• Parenting Self Empowerment Links:
  • Laredo Job Seekers
  • Texas Health & Human Service
  • US Administration for Children & Families

Learn At Home

Volunteer

Decision Making

Community