LITTLE ROCK —The role of family and community engagement in student success is undeniable.Not only do strong relationships, collaboration, and a shared responsibility among families, schools,and communities meet the diverse, immediate needs of children, they also lead to personal and professional success beyond high school.

To encourage and foster these relationships, the Arkansas Department of Education has launched the Family and Community Engagement Framework & Toolkit, a research-based birth-to-grade 16 (four years post high school) guide for improved engagement.

The framework identifies six essential characteristics of effective family and community engagement:Communication, Partnerships, Equity, Leadership, Innovation, and Safe/Friendly Schools. Each of these features includes multiple key elements that assist with incorporating the characteristics. The accompanying toolkit includes resources, strategies, videos, and model examples of engagement to aid in these efforts.     MORE