The purpose of Parent and Family Engagement under Title I, Part A is to promote active engagement among local educational agencies (LEA) administrators, school staff, parents, parent advocacy organizations, parental involvement liaisons, community leaders, and others working to improve student achievement and academic success. Family Engagement is defined as the participation of parents in regular two-way and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities:

Parents are their children’s first teachers.
Parents play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning.
Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school.
Parents are full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making as well as being a part of the advisory committees to assist in the education of their child.

Griffin-Spalding County Schools employs a full-time Family and Community Engagement Specialist at the district level and parent liaison in each school. Both the Family and Community Engagement Specialist and the parent liaisons serve as a link between the schools and parents, relay the needs of one to the other; educate teachers and staff on how to communicate and work effectively with parents as equal partners.

Children with families engaged in their education are more likely to:

Earn higher grades and test scores [1]
Graduate from high school and attend post-secondary education [2]
Develop self-confidence and motivation in the classroom [ 3]
Have better social skills and classroom behavior

They are also less likely to:

Suffer from low self-esteem
Require redirection in the classroom [4]
Develop behavioral issues
Sources

Resources

American Psychological Association. “Parent Engagement in Schools.” https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/programs/safe-supportive/parental-engagement/default.aspx
Grand Rapids Public School District. “What Is Parental Engagement?” https://www.grps.org/parents/parental-engagement.
Wairimu, M.J., Macharia, S.M., Muiru, A. “Analysis of Parental Involvement and Self-Esteem on Secondary School Students in Kieni West Sub-County, Nyeri County, Kenya.” Journal of Education and Practice, November 2016, 7, 82-98.
Sheldon, S. B., & Jung, S. B. “Parent Involvement and Children’s Academic and Social Development in Elementary School.” 2015, John Hopkins University School of Education.

https://youtu.be/uaYIaxf4FUI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiHMZuxsgUw

https://youtu.be/-PZyeecFLEE

https://youtu.be/jt_EyDney-4

Family and Community Engagement

About Parent and Family Engagement in Griffin-Spalding Schools

GSCS District Parent University

Parent Links