Rochester Public Schools -

Updates from the Family Engagement Framework District-wide Initiatives for Systems Change (DISC)

Rochester Public Schools Jan 13 2023 3:30 PM

SUBMITTED PROPOSAL TO SUPERINTENDENT DR. PEKEL:

Throughout the fall of 2022, the Rochester Public Schools Family Engagement District-wide Initiatives for Strategic Change team, consisting of diverse Rochester Public Schools leaders, has been reading, researching, meeting, and discussing Family Engagement policy and practice.

After considering various options, our group has agreed, by consensus, to recommend that Rochester Public Schools adopt the Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships.

In addition to advocating for the adoption of the Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships, the RPS Family Engagement District-wide Initiatives for Strategic Change team also recommends the implementation of the Minnesota Model for Family Engagement, which was recently released by the Minnesota Department of Education. In consultation with current research, resources, and leaders in the field, the Minnesota Family Engagement Design Team worked with Community Expert Contributors to create the Minnesota Model for Family Engagement. In alignment with and serving as an accessible companion to the Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships, the purpose of the Minnesota Model for Family Engagement is to guide discussion and implementation of the family-facing aspects of Family Engagement. The Minnesota Model for Family Engagement is based on the following premises aligned with the Dual Capacity-Building Framework:

1. All families have dreams for their children and want the best for them.

2. All families have the capacity to support their children’s learning.

3. Families and school staff are equal partners.

4. The responsibility for cultivating and sustaining partnerships among school, home, and community rests primarily with school staff, especially school leaders. (MDE, 2023).

TEAM DELIVERABLES 

1. Adopt a Family Engagement Framework: Identify and, as necessary, adapt a framework for authentic and effective family engagement that is based upon research and best practices and that will help RPS schools and staff members build productive partnerships with parents and other caregivers to meet student needs. While the framework that is selected should meet the needs of all RPS families, its most important focus should be on effectively engaging families from historically marginalized communities.