2020 Annual Conference

Alternative certification, community engagement, family engagement, new teacher course

Research shows that increased family and community engagement plays a huge role in student success. For instance, a 2009 study found that students at Title I schools reporting high levels of parental outreach scored fifty percent better on reading assessments than did students at schools reporting low levels of parental engagement. Other studies have found that engaged families and communities lead to benefits such as higher graduation rates, reduced absenteeism, better attitudes towards learning, and improved trust within schools, to name a few.

TNTP’s Nevada Teacher Corps program implemented a new teacher course that reflects the core pillars of authentic family and community engagement and excellent instruction, and equips teachers with practical resources and a safe space to practice using communication skills they’ll need starting on day one of the school year. Key components include:

• Introducing the unique challenges and opportunities within communities and schools
• Understanding how identity and lived experiences affect interactions with students, families, and communities
• Building positive relationships with students and families
• Creating a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment
• Valuing the voices of students and families
• Engaging in meaningful communication with families
• Creating academic partnerships with families
• Developing a shared vision for student success

Session participants will walk away with concrete guidance on how to support new teachers in building strong relationships with families and community members and build a foundation for accelerating student achievement through community engagement.

Presentation/concurrent session

Curriculum Instruction
Application and Instruction
Coaching/Mentoring
Instruction in the Classroom

IHE-based Program Administrators
Non-IHE-based Program Administrators
State Agency Administrators
Site Supervisors/Evaluators/Specialists
Faculty
Interns/New Teachers/Residents