California's Local Control Funding Formula: A System Driver for Family Engagement

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Building Capacity in School and Community Alliances (Table 16)

Abstract

This study used a system drivers framework to understand how school districts are meeting the California requirement for family engagement, a part of a larger systemic reform initiative. Fullan’s (2021) four drivers (Systemness, Equality Investments, Social Intelligence and Wellbeing and Learning) were used to analyze a stratified sample of 248 school district narratives from California’s Family Engagement Self-Reflection Tool. Using qualitative methods, we analyzed strengths, needs and areas for improvement. Findings suggested that family engagement was included through systemness (bringing major stakeholders together). Significantly, social intelligence occurred through staff development and parent education. Increased attention to inequities, parent leadership, and underserved groups reflect emerging trends. This study illustrates how family engagement can be a significant contributor to systemic educational reform.

Authors

• Janet A. Chrispeels, University of California - San Diego

• Margarita Gonzalez Zaske, Transformative Inquiry Designs for Effective Schools (TIDES)

• Araceli Simeon, Parent Organization Network