Collaborative partnerships between families and schools contribute to student achievement and well-being. The fostering of these relationships requires the attention of all members of the school community. The COVID-19 pandemic has generated unique challenges for family engagement in terms of accessibility of learning resources, communication, safety, and trust. It has also shown a bright light on the need for intentional practices to support these collaborative partnerships and to address inequities. It has also been the motivation for the development of new and innovative ways to approach family engagement.
Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center’s News and Guidance
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center grant program in the College of Education and Human Ecology developed an electronic report of news and guidance to highlight important topics related to family engagement and remote learning. Each edition of the newsletter includes links to practical tools and resources for educators and other educational stakeholders. Topics have included communicating with families, supporting parents and caregivers for learning at home with their children, addressing racism in family engagement, and building trust with families among others. Click on the link below to learn more about the newsletter and to subscribe.
https://ohiofamiliesengage.osu.edu/newsletters/
Family Engagement Leaders of Ohio
Family Engagement Leaders of Ohio (FELO) is a virtual professional learning community for family engagement professionals in Ohio’s districts and community schools. The group with members from across Ohio meets virtually to share their experience and to learn together how we can build partnerships with all families in our PreK – 12 education community. To learn more about the FELOs network and to join, use the link below.
https://ohiofamiliesengage.osu.edu/felo/
Video: Engaging Families Through a Multi-Tiered System of Support
View the recording of Dr. Barbara Boone and Hadley Bachman of the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center at the November 17, 2020 meeting for the Family Engagement Leaders of Ohio.
Resources
Find these and other resources at the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center grant program’s website at https://ohiofamiliesengage.osu.edu/ and visit our collection of remote learning resources at https://ohiofamiliesengage.osu.edu/covid19forschools/
Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide – Office of Educational Technology
Parent Guide to Distance Learning
Family Centered Instructional Planning Dos and Don’ts for Remote Learning
Sample Remote Learning Schedule for a Student with Complex Learning Needs