Overcoming barriers to help kids achieve more

Show Notes

• 00:54
  Socioeconomic status and achievement gaps

  Research indicates that family engagement in learning has a greater impact on student outcomes than socioeconomic status. Ultimately, family engagement is vital for a high-functioning education system.
• 03:08
  How parents can identify achievement gaps

  Report card grades may not accurately reflect a student's academic performance at grade level as factors like participation, effort, and extra credit can inflate grades. Instead, standardized tests and report cards should be combined for a more accurate picture of student performance.
• 06:04
  Standardized testing and student performance

  Standardized tests offer a snapshot of student performance but lack nuance in addressing individual learning needs. Similarly, interim assessments used by schools should be carefully examined to ensure they effectively support students.
• 08:53
  Advocating for personalized learning

  Parents can support personalized learning by understanding the specific skills expected of their child throughout the year. By focusing on skill-level understanding rather than just high-level reports, parents can engage their kids in discussions and activities that support their learning.
• 11:04
  Family Engagement Lab and resources to support student learning

  Family Engagement Lab provides parents with concise updates on their child's learning progress via text messages twice a week. This enables parents to stay informed about specific grade-level skills and engage constructively with their child's education and school.
• 13:15
  How parents can receive Family Engagement Labs text messages

  Interested parents can sign up at familyengagementlab.org. Family Engagement Lab partners with school systems to provide curriculum-aligned learning information and tips to help parents engage their kids on topics currently being covered in their classes.