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Schools Engaging Families

Over 50 years of research is clear--When schools engage in effective, authentic family engagement, all stakeholders win!  

Family engagement promotes equitable partnerships among schools, families, and communities to actively advance student achievement through shared commitment, decision making, and responsibility. Actively engaging families and your community benefits educators, administrators, families, and most importantly, our students! 

#PAFamilyEngagement 

Families and schools working together, because our students are worth it 

Family Engagement Is...

  • a partnership 
  • a commitment between schools and families 
  • shared decision-making 
  • two way communication 
  • POSSIBLE 
  • an effective strategy for improving student achievement 
  • a tool to increase work satisfaction  
  • research based and proven to have direct benefits for all 
  • the school's responsibility 

Family Engagement Isn't...

  • a way to measure attendance at events 
  • a method to get volunteers 
  • families being sent information 
  • showing up to Back to School Night 
  • IMPOSSIBLE 
  • about a fundraiser or book fair/bingo 
  • involvement or participation 
  • an ineffective way to improve student outcomes 
  • the family's responsibility 

Resources

PaTTAN Family Support Specialists PaTTAN Family Support Specialists This fact sheet provides an overview of PaTTAN Family Support Specialists who are trained in various aspects of special education and family-school partnerships.
Engaging Families in the IEP Process: A Guide for Schools Engaging Families in the IEP Process: A Guide for Schools

This document explores how schools can reframe the IEP process and take active steps to include families as educational partners. When families are not just involved, but actively engaged, students achieve better grades, higher test scores, and increased graduation rates.

A family-friendly explanation of each section of the IEP is included, as well as considerations and conversation starters for use at the IEP team meeting.
HUNE: Culturally Responsive Practices HUNE: Culturally Responsive Practices Since most of the participants in HUNE youth programs live in environments reflecting diverse Hispanic cultures, HUNE focuses upon supporting them through a smooth acculturation process by both supporting them while adapting into American culture, as well as empowering them to maintain and strengthen their cultural heritage.

Also available in Spanish.
HUNE: Family Engagement HUNE: Family Engagement HUNE empowers and supports families of exceptional children and youth in obtaining a quality public education, so that the students will lead rich, active lives and attain future success. Establishing collaborative partnerships with families, local education agencies, community agencies, and businesses is key in providing cultural and linguistic best practices for families of children and youth with disabilities.

Also available in Spanish.
Teachers' Desk Reference: Family and Community Engagement Teachers' Desk Reference: Family and Community Engagement This issue of Teachers' Desk Reference provides practical strategies for involving family and community members as partners in education. It also provides valuable resources for increasing successful outcomes for all students.

Click here to order the entire Teachers' Desk Reference series in a convenient bundle.
Teachers' Desk Reference: Communicating With Families Teachers' Desk Reference: Communicating With Families This issue of Teachers' Desk Reference offers communication tips for developing effective family-teacher communication.

Click here to order the entire Teachers' Desk Reference series in a convenient bundle.
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Consultants

- Office Lead
- State Lead
Linda Cartwright PaTTAN - EAST
Jacqui DiDomenico PaTTAN - EAST
Amiris Dipuglia PaTTAN - CENTRAL
Jennifer Geibel PaTTAN - WEST
Kimberly Jenkins PaTTAN - EAST
Lori Chamberlain PaTTAN - CENTRAL
Tara Kelly PaTTAN - EAST
Erin Campion PaTTAN - CENTRAL
Tesia Nasehi PaTTAN - EAST
Mara Bell PaTTAN - WEST
Christy Winski PaTTAN - CENTRAL