Chart 3: What Does High-Impact Family Engagement Look Like in After School Programs?
Higher Impact on student learning and development |
Moderate Impact |
Lower Impact |
1. Afterschool classes are linked to school curriculum. Teachers and program staff collaborate to track students’ growth targets and keep families up to date. |
A teacher from the school shares data with tutoring staff on student skills. |
Staff informs families that program offers tutoring on reading and math. |
2. Frequent, informal gatherings for families, school staff, and community partners to foster collaboration and info-sharing. |
Students perform and show their work at quarterly family nights. |
Staff is available to talk with families on orientation day. |
3. Staff and families co-develop intervention plans to address students’ social and/or academic concerns. |
Staff interview families regarding children’s successes and challenges. |
On orientation day, families fill out an information form. |
4. Regular meetings with families to discuss student progress, share information, and confer on strategies to support learning. |
Annual survey asks parents about students’ experience with the program. |
Tip sheets sent home on promoting student health and learning. |
5. The after school program collaborates with other school-based and community programs to make the school a “hub” of activities for students, families and community members. |
Program hosts information fairs about community resources and programs. |
Community bulletin board posts notices about local happenings. |
6. Family support groups and education classes promote family learning, develop job skills, and address health needs. |
Staff refer families to GED and job training programs offered by community partners. |
Families can sign up for the Volunteer Program. |
7. “Community advocates” develop rapport with families of children at risk, provide advice and links to extra support, and help families navigate social services. |
Program staff receive extra pay to serve as informal advisors and mentors to students. |
Staff refers struggling children to outside counseling program. |
8. Local partners co-sponsor community- building and cultural events at after school site, such as a Health Fair or Heritage Celebration, that attract hundreds of families and community members. |
Families and staff plan special events to honor student success and celebrate the beginning and end of school year. |
Program offers fall and spring celebrations for students and families. |
9. In the Leadership institute, parents learn ways to foster their own and their children’s education, support their families financially, develop social networks, and advocate for high quality schools. |
Program staff invite public officials to attend events, meet families and answer questions about community issues. |
Program office displays flyers and brochures about community resources and learning opportunities. |