Family Engagement as an Equity-Driven Strategy for Improving Student Outcomes

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

While decades of research have affirmed the connection between strong family engagement and higher student outcomes, recent data on pre- and post-pandemic student outcomes reveals the true gravity of this connection. Using local, state, and national-level data, this panel includes three studies that reveal two key insights for the field of education: first, most families do not have an accurate picture of their children’s academic performance amid post-pandemic learning loss. But a second, important insight also emerges: effective family engagement strategies — even in the pandemic context — are associated with higher student achievement and lower absenteeism. In this session, panelists will discuss their research questions, methodologies, findings, and essential recommendations for enhancing family-school partnerships and educational outcomes.

Sub Unit

• Division A - Administration / Division A - Section 4: School Contexts and Communities

Chair

• Karen L. Mapp, Harvard University

Papers

• Higher Rates of Proficiency, Lower Rates of Chronic Absenteeism: The Impact of Pandemic Era Family Engagement - Eyal Bergman, Learning Heroes; Zenzile Saharee Riddick, Harvard University

• B-flation: How Good Grades Can Sideline Parents - Eyal Bergman, Learning Heroes

• False Signals: How Pandemic-Era Grades Mislead Families and Threaten Student Learning - Adam Maier, TNTP

Discussant

• Karen L. Mapp, Harvard University