A Background Overview

Commencing in the Fall of 2020, each CV Parent Center was renamed "CV Family Academy," with Lawndale High School having established its Parent Center in 2016. Our school district takes immense pride in the diverse array of academies offered by each of our high schools. In partnership with liaisons and parent leaders, the district remains firmly committed to establishing an academy dedicated to families, with the aim of fostering active engagement through meaningful partnerships.

 

The core purpose of this academy is to acknowledge and provide support to families who actively participate in their child's educational journey. Extensive research unequivocally indicates that when families are involved in their child's school life, there is a noticeable improvement in student academic achievements and behavior. Additionally, the CV Family Academy creates a nurturing and collaborative environment that cultivates confidence among our parents and guardians, positioning them as indispensable partners in ensuring a positive and enriching educational experience for all students.

 

These CV Family Academy Centers serve as hubs for parents, managed by a dedicated Family Engagement Liaison. Their role is to facilitate and host a wide range of opportunities designed to engage families. These opportunities include interactive workshops, informative sessions, and collaborative events, all aimed at enhancing the partnership between families and the educational journey of their children.

 

The California Department of Education (CDE) recognizes the crucial role that families play in supporting student achievement. To foster meaningful family engagement, CDE has developed the Family Engagement Toolkit. This toolkit provides a comprehensive set of resources, strategies, and best practices for schools, educators, and families to work collaboratively in promoting student learning and success.

The toolkit includes:

1. Family Engagement Framework: A guide that outlines the essential components of successful family engagement and how they contribute to student outcomes.

2. Engagement Strategies: Practical and effective strategies for involving families in a student's education journey, including communication techniques, involvement in decision-making, and building partnerships.

3. Resource Library: A collection of resources, templates, and tools that schools and families can use to enhance their engagement efforts.

4. Success Stories: Real-life examples of schools and communities that have successfully implemented family engagement practices, along with the positive outcomes they've achieved.

 

Visit the California Department of Education Family Engagement Toolkit to explore these valuable resources and take an active role in your child's education.

 

 

 

Dr. Joyce Epstein, a renowned education researcher, has identified six distinct types of parental involvement that contribute to student success across grade levels. Here, we'll focus on how these types can be tailored for high school parents:

 

1. Parenting: Help all families provide a supportive home environment that encourages learning, positive behavior, and regular attendance through:

 

2. Communicating: Design effective forms of School-to-Home and Home-to-School communications about school programs and children's progress through:

 

3. Volunteering: Recruit and organize parent assistance and support through:

 

4. Learning at Home: Provide information and ideas to families about how to assist students at home with homework and other curriculum-related activities, decisions, and planning through:

 

5. Decision-Making: Participate in school decision-making processes, such as attending school board meetings, providing input on policies, or joining advisory committees through:

 

6. Collaborating with the Community: Coordinate resources and services from the community for families, students, and the school, and provide services to the community through:

 

Remember, your involvement matters! By utilizing the resources in the California Department of Education Family Engagement Toolkit and understanding Dr. Joyce Epstein's six types of parental involvement, you're taking important steps toward helping your high school student achieve their full potential.