Nebraska School, Family, and Community Engagement Framework

Download full PDF of the Framework Here

Schools and childcare providers implement best practices in student, family, and community engagement to enhance experiences and opportunities that are culturally inclusive and relevant for each student. Student success and engagement relies on positive partnerships and relationships to improve the outcomes for each child, family, school, district, and community.

In order to better support learners throughout the state, The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) in collaboration with educators, parents, and community partners created the Nebraska School, Family, and Community Engagement Framework. This Framework is a tool to help Nebraska educators as they reach out to families and community partners.

Content was aligned to the Positive Partnerships, Relationships, and Success AQuESTT tenet.

“Schools and districts implement best practices in student, family, and community engagement to enhance experiences and opportunities that are culturally inclusive and relevant for each student. Student success and engagement relies on positive partnerships and relationships to fundamentally improve the outcomes for each student, school, district, and community.”

To learn more about AQuESTT, visit www.aquestt.com.

This Framework is built on the understanding that school, family, and community engagement:

• recognizes the role families and the community play in advocating for educational equity, opportunity, and quality;

• is a shared responsibility of families, schools, and communities where knowledge is exchanged;

• focuses on culturally respectful partnerships that support student learning, at home, at school, and in the community;

• builds, sustains, and grows relationships that empower all students, families, and communities;

• is continuous across a child’s life spanning from birth to young adulthood;

• occurs in multiple settings where children and youth learn before, during, and after the regular school day as well as summer.

The Framework includes information on six interrelated focus areas:

1. Active Family Engagement
2. Safe and Welcoming Schools
3. Student Attendance
4. Community Partnerships and Support Services
5. Business and Industry Partnerships
6. Before-School, Afterschool, and Summer Programs

Information provided includes a definition, best practices, research, and additional resources.

This framework is for schools and teams of educators to use in their continuous improvement efforts. Educators can use the resources and suggestions included in their engagement efforts on school improvement teams, MTSS teams, school safety committees, etc.

The creation of the Nebraska School, Family, and Community Engagement Framework was a collaborative effort that reflects input from individuals from across the state including educators, parents, and community partners. For a list of individuals who contributed to this project see Appendix A.