School-Home Communication
School-Home Communication
The third Webinar in a Parent Involvement Webinar Series
Provided by the Illinois State Board of Education
in partnership with the Academic Development Institute
Our Agenda
School-Home Communication
• Why Is School-Home Communication
Important?
• Improving School-Home Communication
• What Resources are Available?
• Benefits of Systemically Embedded Practices
• Conclusion and Wrap Up
Why is School-Home
Communication Important?
Why is School-Home Communication
Important?
• School-Home Communication is necessary
– To inform parents and help them understand
their role in their child’s academic success
– To build the relationships necessary for student
success
– To implement research-based practices
– To meet the requirements of the law
Improving School-Home
Communication
Improving School-Home
Communication
• Four “Ps” of School-Home Communication
Positive
Personalized
Proactive
Partnership
Improving School-Home
Communication
• Four “Ps” of School-Home Communication
–Positive
– Past history makes parents wary of communication with
schools
– Positive communication promotes positive relationships
– Think of ways to communicate positively on a regular
basis
Improving School-Home
Communication
• Four “Ps” of School-Home Communication
–Personalized
– Always communicate in the language spoken in the home
(this is a requirement of Title I for English Language Learners)
– Find resources to help you write words in your student’s
home language
– Xeroxed memos are information…not communication
– Families are on “information overload” so jot down a
personal note to make it stand out from the rest
Improving School-Home
Communication
• Four “Ps” of School-Home Communication
–Proactive
– Notify parents of concerns…don’t wait until there’s an
issue (then work together on the solution)
– Provide plenty of notice for special events
– Keep parents informed of classroom rules,
expectations, and current lesson emphasis
Improving School-Home
Communication
• Four “Ps” of School-Home Communication
–Partnership
– Well-informed parents make better partners
– Make it two-way and encourage parents to respond
with their comments and concerns
– Take the lead in modeling “partnership” behaviors
Available Resources
Available Resources
• Communication Resources – PIA Tool
– School Community Compact
– Homework
– Information using Technology
– Teacher to Parent Telephone Calls
– Passing Notes
– Newsletters
– Parent Bulletin Board
– And More
Available Resources
• Communication through Connections – PIA Tool
– Open House
– Parent Teacher Conferences
– Family Nights
– Parent Room
– Home Visits
– And More
School-Home Communication
• Communication Resources
– Reading rockets
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/19308/Point 2
– Harvard Family Research
http://www.hfrp.org/publications-resources/browse-ourpublications/home-school-communication-what-s-all-the-commotion
– Parent Teacher Education Connection
http://www.tcet.unt.edu/pteconnect/?module=Communicating&section=introd
uction&page=importance
IllinoisParents.org Resources
IllinoisParents.org Resources
http://www.illinoisparents.org/
Benefits of Systemic Practices
Benefits of Systemic Practices
• Systemic Practices
– Policies provide for systemic processes to
become standing practices that span grade
levels
– Practices embedded in policy work to ensure
best practices even through administrative and
personnel changes
– Sustained evidence-based practices carry
promise for long-term student success
– Provides continuity of expectations for families
Putting it All Together
Putting it All Together
• Be mindful of the difference between
information and communication
• Practice the 4 P’s
• Quality relationships create quality
partnerships
• Policies put intentions into action and allow
for sustained practices
Thank you for joining us today
Please join us on February 24
from 3:30 – 5:00 for
Parent Involvement as a
Collaborative Process
Resources and References
Works Cited
Patrikakou, E, et al. (2002) Partnerships: Positive Communication Between
Parents and Teachers (for teachers) Philadelphia, PA: Temple
University: Laboratory for Student Success, 2002.
Harvard Family Research Project. Home-School Communication.
Cambridge, MA, 24 January 2011.
Parent Teacher Education Connection. The Importance of Home and
School Communication. Washington, DC, 24 January 2011.
American Federation of Teachers. Building Parent-Teacher Relationships.
Washington, DC, 24 January 2011.
Today’s Presenters
Illinois State Board of Education
Joseph Banks, ISBE Chicago
Gail Bouy, ISBE Springfield
Academic Development Institute
Reatha Owen, Director of Families and Schools