“Raising the next generation is a shared responsibility. When families, communities and schools work together, students are more successful and the entire community benefits.”
The Nebraska Department of Education identified family engagement as an essential area of focus in its new Accountability for a Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow (AQuESTT) within the tenet of Positive Partnerships, Relationships, and Student Success.
Engaging families and communities as partners with schools is essential, as the evidence is clear: partnerships contribute to children and youth’s academic and social success. Current family and community engagement research, websites, and promising practices are available via the links below.
Nebraska School, Family, and Community Engagement Framework
Community Partnerships and Support Services
Business and Industry Partnerships
Before-School, Afterschool, and Summer Programs
Micro-Learning Video Series: Tools for Utilizing the Family & Community Engagement Framework
The micro-learning video learning series, focused on family and community engagement, is designed to support families, schools, and school staff. Each video is 3-5 minutes in length and is intended to serve as a starting point for generating discussion in staff meetings or in professional learning communities on how to effectively work with families to ensure all youth are engaged in school and achieve positive academic outcomes. The videos were developed collaboratively by the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) and the NDE.
The videos contain suggested discussion points in the video description to help provide a structure for using these videos in your setting.
Student success relies on positive relationships between families, schools, and communities. In order to support families in their efforts to engage with schools, this version of the Nebraska School, Family, and Community Engagement Framework is intended to provide guidance directly to families, supporting their ability to effectively support their students in the 4 vital areas listed below.
- Family Version of the Nebraska School, Family, and Community Engagement Framework – English
- Arabic – Translation, Family Version of the Nebraska School, Family, and Community Engagement Framework
- French Translation, Family Version of the Nebraska School, Family, and Community Engagement Framework
- Karen Translation, Family Version of the Nebraska School, Family, and Community Engagement Framework
- Somali Translation, Family Version of the Nebraska School, Family, and Community Engagement Framework
- Spanish Translation, Family Version of the Nebraska School, Family, and Community Engagement Framework
- Vietnamese Translation, Family Version of the Nebraska School, Family, and Community Engagement Framework
Advocating for Your Student
You are the expert on your student and may recognize strengths and needs the school hasn’t yet identified. Helping the school understand your student can help the school better support them.
Despite best efforts, sometimes there are challenges within your student’s educational experience. It’s important to positively advocate for your student when concerns arise. These resources will help you effectively advocate with and for your student.
Advocating for Your Student- English
Advocating for Your Student- Arabic
Advocating for Your Student- French
Advocating for Your Student- Karen
Advocating for Your Student- Somali
Becoming More Involved
If you would like to become more involved in your school, there are a variety of options available to you. There are 6 main types of family engagement, and all have a valuable place in education: parenting, communicating, volunteering, learning at home, decision making, and collaborating with the community. Even though there may be barriers to overcome, remember: your voice matters and is needed!
Becoming More Involved- English
Becoming More Involved- Arabic
Becoming More Involved- French
Becoming More Involved- Somali
Strong, effective communication with schools is responsive and goes both ways to make sure families can understand and have the ability to contribute effectively in their student’s education. Schools often send newsletters and/or emails with general information. Families should feel empowered to
initiate contact early and often in a variety of ways.
Communicating with Families- English
Communicating with Families- Arabic
Communicating with Families- French
Communicating with Families- Karen
Communicating with Families- Somali