Community Engagement - The governance board actively works to engage at high levels with the community in alignment with the charter contract and vision/mission of the school.
Proficiency: Create/refine plan for how to engage community partners and volunteers in collaborating with the charter school.
Learning
How Do We Move From Involving Our Community to Engaging Our Community
Involvement or Engagement? Read the article to gain insights and suggestions from high school teacher Larry Ferlazzo on how to connect with families and communities through meaningful two-way conversations that explore ways to engage with, rather than merely involve, families and community members. Format: Online journal article Length: 5 pages
Community and Family Engagement Watch this video to continue to gain more insights into involvement vs. engagement. Are we “doing with” or “doing for”? Format: YouTube Length: 2:18 minutes
5 Steps to Better School/Community Collaboration (EduTopia)
5 steps to better school/community collaboration Brendan O’Keefe distills his research about the link between school/community partnerships and successful school transformation. Read his post to learn about the themes that emerged from his research as well as five steps that he recommends to create a stronger network of family and community partners. Format: Blog post Length: 1,036 words
Ask Your Community and Listen
Questions change everything in community engagement View this TEDx Talk to learn from Max Hardy about why asking “The Right Question” is critical to successful community engagement. Learn about the consequences of poorly constructed questions as well as the criteria and the process for formulating the “The Right Question” that will result in community engagement. Do you see your community as a problem to be solved or as an asset to utilize? Format: YouTube Length: 15 minutes
Community Needs Assessment Survey (WRCCS) Use this bank of questions to assess the interests and experience of your community. Consider using a survey (Survey Monkey, Google Form) to cast a wide net in your community. Format: Google Doc Length: 3 pages
Naysayers, Fence Sitters, Supporters, Thought Leaders
Naysayers, fence sitters, supporters, thought leaders Analyze this infographic, noting the general distribution, characteristics and motivations of each change archetype. Also, note methods that help each archetype see the vision and mission or to help them become more engaged. Format: Public link to PDF Length: 1 page
Community Logic Model
It is important to understand what resources we have available to us in our community. What is already available that we can use to support our initiatives? Does a service already exist that we can tap into? It may be easier to partner with others than to create something new independently.
Family and Community Engagement Logic Template This logic model helps create a plan of specific activities with specific stakeholders that is time-bound for short-, medium-, and long-term activities. Format: PDF Length: 1 page
Community Focus Groups
Community focus groups can give an opportunity for the community to share specific information and deep insight specific to the objectives and prompts. A focus group creates an accepting environment that puts participants at ease allowing them to thoughtfully discuss questions in their own words and add meaning to their thoughts and ideas.
Hosting Community Focus Groups (WRCCS) Use this Community Focus Group tool to help create and facilitate a focus group in your community. Format: Google Doc Length: 1 page
Create a School Community Map of stakeholders. Use one of the methods identified in the blog post, 5 steps to better school/community collaboration, or create your own. Your map may be hand-drawn or you may choose to use a free mapping tool such Coggle, Mindmeister or Plectica. Here’s an example to get you started.
Understanding Resources Using Concept Mapping Tools
Optional online concept mapping tools (Users must create accounts to save maps created.)
Each of these online concept mapping tools may be used to create a map of school community stakeholders. Learners may choose to create a hand-drawn map of school community stakeholders instead. Format: Mapping Tool Length: NA
Community Logic Model
Use the provided Family and Community Engagement Logic Template (or create your own) to craft the “right” question. Create a plan of specific activities with specific stakeholders that is time-bound for short-, medium-, and long-term activities. Determine methods to help each change archetype encountered in the family and engagement logic model to see the school’s vision and mission or to become more engaged. The plan should also include methods for collecting, analyzing, reflecting, and using data available in the activities. Also, include plans to reflect and revise the logic model.
The Right Question(s)
After watching the video, Questions change everything in community engagement, what is (are) the right question(s) you need to ask your community to ensure engagement and partnership? Make a list and share them with the Share Board for feedback.
Family and Community Engagement Logic Template This logic model helps create a plan of specific activities with specific stakeholders that is time-bound for short-, medium-, and long-term activities.
Brandt, R., & Robelen, E. (1998, May). Listen First. Educational Leadership, 55, 25-30. Retrieved June 14, 2018 from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/may98/vol55/num08/Listen-First.aspx
Cabrera, D. & Cabrera, L. (2018). Systems Thinking Made Simple: New Hope for Wicked Problems. Ithaca, NY: Odyssean.
Ferlazzo, L. (2011, May). Involvement or Engagement? Educational Leadership, 68, 10-14. Retrieved June 14, 2018 from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/may11/vol68/num08/Involvement-or-Engagement¢.aspx
Henderson, A., Mapp, K., Johnson, V., & Davies, D. (2007). Beyond the Bake Sale: The Essential Guide to Family-School Partnerships. New York: The New Press.
