Communication Type 2

Based on the work of Joyce Epstein, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Maryland

PowerPoint presentation by Parents Plus Inc.

Six Types of Family/School/Community Partnerships: Type 2 Communication

Challenges and redefining “communication”

Type 2: Communicating

Conduct effective communications from school to home and from home to school about school programs and children’s progress.

Sample Practices Type 2

Conference with every parent at least once a year with follow-ups as needed.

Language translators to assist families as needed.

Folders of student work went home weekly or monthly for parent review and comments.

Sample Practices Type 2

Parent and student pick up report cards.

Regular schedule of useful notices, memos, phone calls, and other communication.

Effective newsletters including information about school events, student activities, and parents’ questions, reactions and suggestions.

Sample Practices Type 2

Clear information about choosing schools and selecting courses, programs, and activities within school

Clear information on all school policies, programs, reforms, assessments, and transitions

Annual survey of families on students’ needs and families’ reactions to school programs

Challenges Type 2

Make all memos, notices, and other print and non-print communications clear and understandable for all families.

Challenges Type 2

Consider parents who do not speak English well, do not read well, or need LARGE print.

Challenges Type 2

Obtain ideas from families to improve the design and content of major.

Communications such as newsletters, report cared, and conference schedules.

Challenges Type 2

Establish an easy-to-use two-way channel for communications from school-to-home and from home-to-school.

Redefine “communication” Type 2 “Communications

about school programs and student progress” are not only from school-to-home but also include two-way, three-way, and many-way channels of communication that connect schools, families, students, and the community.

Results for Students:

•Awareness of own progress in subjects and skills•Knowledge of actions needed to maintain or improve grades•Understanding school programs and policies.•Informed decisions about courses and programs.•Awareness of own role as courier and communicator in school-family partnerships

Results for Parents:

•Understanding school programs and policies.•Monitoring and awareness of child’s progress in subjects and skills•Responses to student problems•Ease of interactions and communications with school and teachers.•High rating of school quality.

Results for Teachers:

•Diversity of communications with families.•Ability to communicate clearly•Use of network of parents to communicate with all families.•Ability to understand family views and elicit help with children’s progress

•Awareness of own progress in subjects and skills

•Knowledge of actions needed to maintain or improve grades

•Understanding school programs and policies.

•Informed decisions about courses and programs.

•Awareness of own role as courier and communicator in school-family partnerships

•Understanding school programs and policies.

•Monitoring and awareness of child’s progress in subjects and skills

•Responses to student problems

•Ease of interactions and communications with school and teachers.

•High rating of school quality.

•Diversity of communications with families.

•Ability to communicate clearly

•Use of network of parents to communicate with all families.

•Ability to understand family views and elicit help with children’s progress