Setting the Goals: Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Review school practices related to family and community engagement with your school team, including family and community members. Use an assessment (National PTA assessment of standards is a recommended one) to evaluate current practice. A parent survey or parent focus groups will give direction as far as the needs of the families, (see tools.)

Step two: Apply the findings using the team’s discussion of the assessment results, together with the mission and goals of the school and the areas of student achievement that most need improvement, to determine:

• Where are we now?
• Where do we want to go?
• How do we get there?

Step three: Develop (or review) a written family/community engagement policy stating the philosophy that partners will be included in children’s learning, as required in NCLB.

Step four: Develop a plan for implementation of activities that will increase children’s learning, by engaging families and community members as partners with the school.

• Secure support from all stakeholders, distribute a draft and request response
• Publish the plan, share in meetings or newsletter, provide staff development on how to implement
• Continually evaluate and update for success