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Academic Parent Teacher Teams (APTT)

Academic Parent Teacher Teams (APTT)

Summary

APTT are a different way to approach the traditional elementary parent teacher conference. APTT increases opportunities parents and teachers have to collaborate and empowers families to contribute to learner growth and achievement. APTT is a model of engaging families by developing partnerships between teachers and parents, aligning grade-level learning concepts, student performance data, and enhancing communication.

APTT provides:
  • Three 75-minute team meetings per year
  • One 30-minute individual session with each family
  • Collaborative environments for families to contribute
  • Grade-level information and important home practices
  • Strengthened relationships between families and school staff

Suggestions

  • Pilot the program at one or two grade levels first to ensure fidelity of implementation, staff buy-in, and sustainability before scaling up.
  • Provide grade level common planning time for teachers involved to debrief and plan.
  • Provide training to staff involved with classroom observations and instructional coaching.
  • Offer debriefing and feedback sessions for families.
  • Use Title I funding if available.

Considerations

  • Is your school welcoming to all families?
  • Is meaningful family engagement missing?
  • Is the school administration ready to lead and support implementation?
  • Will there be time provided to train staff?
  • Do teachers have common planning time across grade levels?
  • Is your school data driven?

Resources

APTT-WestEd

Riverside Elementary APTT

Myrtle Tate Elementary APTT

The Power of Academic Parent-Teacher Teams

Harvard Family Research Project

Stanton Elementary APTT