|
At a time when public schools are experiencing
intense scrutiny and ever increasing demands for continuous
student improvement, it has become imperative for school communities
to collaborate in the development of concise, comprehensive
plans to successfully meet local, state, and federal standards.
Successful school improvement planning must
be a carefully developed, long- term program that is data
driven and well grounded in proven educational research and
best practices. There is no “magic bullet” or quick fix. Effective
long-term school improvement is achieved by energizing all
stakeholders to successfully meet the needs of their students
and their communities.
The Family Friendly Schools Engage!
All Families Five-Step Process will provide
school communities with a program to experience sustained
academic success by exposing a clear path to a positive school
culture that engages all parties to meet successfully their
district/school wide mission. This cohesive approach creates
a network of integrated relationships between leaders, staff,
and families to insure communication, eliminate isolation
and generate a plan for all students to achieve at a high
level.
Where are we?
The Family Engagement Survey is a 32-question
survey, available in English and Spanish (other languages
may be available upon request).
The survey gathers information in four domains of family engagement.
1. The welcoming environment of the school toward families
2. The degree to which the school supports learning at home
3. Effective two-way communication between home and school
4. Degrees of engagement (i.e. policy, governance, parental
efficacy)
FFS generates a customized Family Engagement Report of the
data collected for each school participating in the study
and a cumulative district overview report. This comprehensive
analysis reveals specific areas of development to create measurable,
strategic Family Engagement processes.
In addition to the survey results, FFS can provide family
and community opinion research through Qualitative analysis.
Through focus groups and individual interview research, FFS
obtains important community based information to enhance your
engage all families process.
back to process 
Learn, Plan, Execute
The Engage! Workshop is a two-day event designed
to create positive and productive school cultures to advance
the achievement of all students through explicit family engagement
processes.
At the conclusion of the institute participants will be able
to:
1. Develop dynamic relationships between Leadership, Staff,
and Families.
2. Assess individual school dynamics, identify programs, practices,
procedures, and policies which are Family Friendly; and identify
those that lead to disenfranchised and disengaged families.
3. Use available and collected data to create and implement
a measurable plan and process to create dynamic family engagement.
4. Measure and improve student achievement through systemic
family engagement practices.
5. Design and create a school culture that supports achievement
of all students.
back to process 
Nurturing Accountability
FFS designed Distance Coaching, sometimes called
EdCoach, as a practical, cost-effective way for our Certified Family Engagement Specialists to maintain close
and consistent contacts with the cadre team participating
in the Workshop.
Through external moderation, Distance Coaching increases the
likelihood that Workshop customers will return to their schools
and implement, execute, and maintain an engaged culture.
We take the responsibility of guiding and nurturing each individual
group so you don't have to.
Distance Coaching (usually) includes the following:
1. Two (post institute) web/tele-coaching per school with
a Certified family engagement
specialist using state-of-the-art, web-based software.
2. Focused time during these 45 minute to one hour sessions
to work on opportunities and challenges teams are facing implementing
the family engagement process and to provide support, guidance,
and leadership.
3. Access to an archive of sessions for repetitive learning
and for a team member unable to attend live sessions.
back to process 
Progress Report & Mid Course Corrections
The FFS Tracking Survey provides the ability
to follow or "track" the progress of individual
school family engagement plans by soliciting feedback from
both families and staff. Two tracking surveys are conducted,
one at the mid-mark and one at the end of the Engage process.
Mid-Mark Survey = Progress Report
If the results do not meet expectations, we adjust and make
the necessary mid-course corrections to keep you on track.
Year-End Survey = Report Card
In comparing the baseline to this survey we determine the
effectiveness in implementing the Family Engagement Model.
back to process 
Motivation, Training & Staff Capacity
Building
Engagement is all about relationships and at
FFS we believe in building meaningful relationships with our
clients that liberate greatness. Consequently, step five involves
onsite visits for executive planning, team building, and professional
development sessions lead by members of the FFS team of engagement
specialists.
We recommend a minimum of two onsite visits per school year.
FFS will assist you in selecting the right professional programs
for your organization based on data collection and progress.
back to process 
Schools at this stage of the Family Friendly
Schools Engage All Families Five-Step Process
enjoy meaningful Family Engagement with a majority of their
family population. Previously disengaged families are now
fully involved in the school processes and support the educational
lives of their children. Conditions such as ELS, Poverty,
Special Education, Leadership, etc. are improved. Absenteeism
is reduced, AYP goals are met, and Student Achievement is
dramatically improved. The culture has experienced a turnaround
and is now engaged.
back to process
This is not the end of the benefits you will
receive from Family Engagement. Your Family Engagement process
has reached the tipping point and will produce sustained academic
improvement by fueling your engaged culture despite inevitable
political mandates, economic fluctuations, or sociological
swings.
CLICK
FOR A .PDF DOWNLOAD OF THE FIVE-STEP PROCESS | 
