Innovative Family Engagement Approach Tied to District Success

A new study from NYU Metro Center found positive outcomes after efforts in Fayette County Public Schools to "unite and align the district-based Family and Community Engagement team around a common vision for family engagement.” 

Results show the initiative Partnering with Families for Student Success (PFSS) played a key role in our staff appreciating the importance of effective two-way communication and providing families with more opportunities to collaborate on their children’s education. More research is needed in the coming years to explore the impact on student attendance and learning outcomes.

“Our district has fully embraced Partnering with Families for Student Success,” said Miranda Scully, executive director of Public Engagement for FCPS. “Our educators have become FACE champions who demonstrate their deep desire and commitment to engage families as a core effort to support every student. We believe that when families and educators work hand in hand, we create a powerful support system that empowers students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.”

The recently released case study is the result of a multi-year effort to gather data and insights into our districtwide Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team and their implementation of the holistic engagement model developed by the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL). The model, evaluation, and report were funded through the Kentucky Department of Education’s ESSER Family Engagement Grant.

Partnering with Families for Student Success is the professional learning and coaching component of NCFL’s District Family Engagement model. Other key conditions that led to FCPS success include commitment to family engagement through the district’s strategic priorities, explicit connection between FACE liaisons and academic learning, and ongoing support for educators fostering broader family engagement opportunities.