Academic Parent-Teacher Teams (APTT)

Cultivating Authentic Family-School Partnerships

Lake Geneva - Wisconsin October 29, 2014

Faith Burtamekh

Objectives for Today

Learn and discuss the

why, what, and how

of school-based family engagement that leads to improved student learning and achievement.

Why School-Based

Family Engagement?

It’s a Matter of Time

33% ASLEEP

12% SCHOOL

55% AWAY FROM SCHOOL

Based on 6 hours of instruction, 180 days per year, and 8 hours of sleep time.(At school = 1,080 Hours) (Asleep = 2,920 Hours) ( Away from school = 4,760 Hours) (Total Hours in a Year = 8,760)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Weak

Strong

Family Engagement Matters for Students and Schools

% o

f sch

ools

su

bsta

nti

ally im

pro

vin

g in

re

ad

ing

Bryk, A.Sebring, P., Allensworth, A., Luppescu, S., & Easton, J. (2010). Organizing Schools for Improvement: Lessons from Chicago. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Five“essential supports” predicted dramatic school improvement

Combined, supports had greater impact

Weakness over time in any area undermined improvement

APTT and The Dual Capacity Framework

Current research supports efforts that are:

• Intentional and strategic

• Linked to learning

• Systematic and sustained

• Developmental

• Relational and collaborative

Karen L. Mapp et al, (2013) Partners in Education A Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships (A publication of SEDL in collaboration with the USDE)

Why?

Build Efficacy and Capacity

To build family knowledge and confidence that supports student learning at home and in the community.

What is Family

Engagement?

Family engagement is parent-teacher collaboration to drive student learning and achievement.

What are you currently doing to engage families at your school?

On paper, create a list of all the activities and events that you invite families to attend at your school every year.

Activity

Activity: Part 2

Go back to the list you created and put a star next to everything you invite families to participate in that has to do with student learning.

Activity: Part 3

Review the list again and circle everything you invite families to participate in that is focused on grade-level learning goals.

13

School-Based Family Engagement

Parent Involvement

• What a school does to bring parents onto a school campus.

• Conferences

• Festivals/celebrations

• PTA/PTO/PTSA

• Workshops

• Volunteer opportunities

Family Engagement

What families do to apply what they learn in order to support student learning at home and in the community.

How do we create

meaningful family engagement?

Academic Parent-Teacher Teams (APTT)

APTT Model

17

APTT Shifts the Focus from

Accountability to

Capacity Buildingand

Shared Responsibility

Results From APTT Implementation

• Accelerated student academic progress

• Increased parent-teacher collaboration focused on student goals

• Increased family capacity to support learning

• Improved overall school culture

• Exceed Title I requirements

• Efficient and strategic family outreach

How do we make it happen?

• Build awareness and readiness with school staff

• Provide professional development

• Provide teachers with supported planning time

• Have a strong family outreach plan

• Collect data every step of the way

• Make it part of the school/district improvement plan

Thank You!

MARIA C. PAREDESmparede@wested.org

480.823.9425

FAITH BURTAMEKHfburtam@wested.org

602.300.4093