“It’s my child’s first day of middle school, now what?” Parents and guardians across the country are grappling with this transition from child to young adolescent and navigating their role in school and daily life. Although direct parent/guardian involvement often takes a back seat once students enter the middle grades, young people still need that guidance and support. This stage of a child’s life is marked by significant physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and psychological changes, as outlined in The Successful Middle School: This We Believe. During this period, kids are also increasingly influenced by their peers and feel a growing need for autonomy.
Rather than taking a step back, it is, in fact, a time for families to lean in. Research shows that family involvement has been consistently linked to improved academic performance, better attendance, and higher motivation among young adolescents. When parents and guardians actively engage in their child’s education, they provide necessary support and encouragement for learning. In fact, “One key success factor that transcends nearly all others, such as socioeconomic status, student background or the kind of school a student attends: parental involvement,” according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation 2022.
It follows, then, that family engagement is integral to planning for the school year and student success. How can school leaders incorporate families into the life of the school? I’ve provided a few suggestions and starting places, but know that every school is different. I encourage school leaders to tailor family engagement to your families and your communities.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers: Helping Families Know What to Expect
We know that “the young adolescent body undergoes more rapid growth than at any other time except from birth to two years old.” There’s no one book or guide to parenting young adolescents, so offering educational opportunities via parent workshops can support parents in learning about their child’s new development phase.
Administrators, faculty, advisors, counselors, and other staff may consider in-person or virtual workshops on topics relevant to young adolescent development, academic support, and parenting strategies. These workshops can empower parents and guardians with tools to navigate their child’s adolescence and open the doors to communication between school and home. A common language around young adolescent development will help all parties navigate the challenges of this crucial time.
Academic Success
Schedule regular parent-teacher conferences to discuss students’ academic and personal progress, strengths, and improvement areas. These conferences provide a platform for open dialogue between parents and teachers. Consider elevating these conversations to create student-led conferences which empower students to participate actively in their educational journey. Students are encouraged to share their goals, progress, and areas they want to improve, leading the conversation and being owners of their learning.
Social-Emotional Development
Open communication with parents and guardians allows young adolescents to discuss peer relationships, bullying, and other social challenges they may encounter. Family engagement is vital in promoting positive behaviors and reducing risky ones such as substance use. When parents are involved, tweens are more likely to make responsible choices, especially while still forming their sense of self and identity.
Positively engaging with families before any challenges arise helps mitigate conflict. Research from Harvard Business School indicates that the ratio of positive to negative feedback for highly effective teams is 6:1, with moderately successful teams having a ratio of 2:1. It’s helpful for educators and administrators to find ways to reach out early to engage parents/guardians three or more times before having to discuss conflicts or challenges in school, either social or academic.
Strategies for Success
The earlier educators establish family engagement, the more likely they are to raise student performance. Administrators can establish consistent communication channels, such as newsletters, emails, and online platforms, to inform parents about school activities, curriculum, and their child’s progress. Notes sent home in a student’s backpack or through the student in other formats may get lost in the shuffle. J. Michael Hall, a former middle school principal, explains, “Parents and teachers have to learn to communicate with each other instead of relying on the student. Students should be accountable for communicating with both their parents and their teacher as a practice, but parents and teachers should not count on information that they send via students. By communicating directly, parents and teachers can save themselves the hassle of trying to decipher information from students.”
Communication
To ensure greater clarity and consistency in communication, using a variety of technology to keep parents engaged is critical. This includes online grade portals, class websites, and apps that provide real-time updates on assignments/grades or share photos in a private forum. Keep the methods of communication consistent among staff to eliminate confusion so families aren’t required to learn too many formats. Recognize that each family’s engagement level and preferences may differ. Tailor outreach efforts to accommodate diverse family structures, schedules, and communication preferences. Survey families at the outset of the school year and again mid-year to identify the best ways reach all families. Don’t forget – it will never be a one-size-fits-all solution. Be sensitive to cultural differences and the needs of diverse families, ensuring that communication and engagement efforts are inclusive and respectful.
Parent Onboarding
Orientation isn’t just for students and staff. Families benefit from understanding school-wide, grade-level, and classroom expectations. Hold orientation workshops and meetings specifically designed for new (to the school) parents and guardians. Don’t forget to invite families who join the school after the traditional entry point. These sessions can cover various topics, such as the school’s mission and values, curriculum overview, grading policies, extracurricular opportunities, communication channels, and ways to get involved in the school community. Provide ample time for questions and interactions, helping families feel comfortable and informed about their child’s educational journey. Involve current parents or guardians who can share their experiences and insights, making the new parents feel more connected and welcome. Consider offering these opportunities both in person and virtually so that as many families as possible can benefit.
Parent/Guardian Ambassadors:
Establish an ambassador or mentor program where experienced parents/guardians are connected with new ones. This approach creates a support system for newcomers, giving them someone to turn to for guidance and information. Parent ambassadors can introduce new parents to the school environment, attend events together, and point new families to helpful school resources. This personal touch can significantly enhance feelings of belonging and understanding.
Family Events:
Plan carefully so the school can host family-friendly events. These events create opportunities for parents to visit the school, engage with teachers, and connect with other families. Events don’t all need to be co-curricular; although events like science fairs and art exhibitions are a way to showcase what students are doing in school, other events like fairs, open houses, and read-a-thons can also bring families together to create community. Consider creating service learning opportunities within the school and in the greater community that parents can join. This has the added benefit of improving self-esteem, fostering a more significant connection to the community, and elevating compassion and empathy for students and their caregivers.
Finally, it’s helpful to remember that the fundamental reason schools need to partner with families is for the well-being of students. Listening with compassion, leading with empathy, and collaborating with care are cornerstones of a healthy partnership and will help when challenges arise. Each school year is an opportunity to create the desired school community. Create with young adolescents in mind.
Jennifer Rose serves as Director of Professional Development for AMLE. Learn more about how AMLE is supporting schools in their Successful Middle School journeys.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2022, December 14). Parental Involvement in Your Child’s Education. https://www.aecf.org/blog/parental-involvement-is-key-to-student-success-research-shows#:~:text=Decades%20of%20research%20have%20made,children%20adapt%20better%20to%20school.