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Equity and Family Engagement

Equity and Family Engagement

Summary

Equity is realized “when educational policies, practices, interactions, and resources are representative of, constructed by, and responsive to all people so that each individual has access to, meaningfully participates in, and has positive outcomes from high-quality learning experiences, regardless of individual characteristics and group memberships” (Fraser, 2008; Great Lakes Equity Center, 2012).

Equitable family engagement:

  • Ensures that family engagement represents the diversity of the entire school community.
  • Provides a range of meaningful opportunities for involvement.
  • Accommodates family schedules and takes place in locations that are accessible within the community.
  • Utilizes multiple modes of communication in multiple languages to reach all families in the school community.
  • Is culturally responsive and sensitive to socioeconomic status of families.
  • Utilizes the perspectives and expertise non-dominant families possess to help eliminate inequities.

Considerations

  • Are there different communication styles and languages?
  • Are there childcare needs?
  • Are there transportation needs?
  • How will information about opportunities be shared to reach all families?

Suggestions

  • Develop partnerships with community members and organizations that represent the various voices in the school community to help interpret written and verbal communication.
  • Ensure engagement opportunities are culturally responsive, inclusive, and representative of the entire school community.
  • Talk to families to determine best times and locations for engagement activities.
  • Provide free childcare and transportation for families participating in engagement activities.
  • Use community and after school locations to assist with finding families and supporting communications.

Resources

Promoting Equity through Family-School Partnerships

Parent Engagement Through the Lens of Equity

Equitable Collaboration Framework

According to the National Center for Culturally Responsive Educational Systems (NCCREST), “cultural responsiveness is the ability to learn from and relate respectfully with people of your own culture as well as those from other cultures.”