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Criterion Seven: Engaging Families and Communities

Criterion seven revolves around partnering with families and communities to promote learning. An effective school leader recognizes and capitalizes on the potential that families and communities can have on students’ achievement. When these relationships are functioning well, families and communities understand the work of the school and are proud to claim the school as their own. An effective leader understands these influences to be valuable resources and works to establish trusting partnerships between homes, the larger community, and the school. 

Key Questions for Reflection

  • How do I intentionally and consistently engage families in ways that support student learning?

  • In what ways am I addressing the unique needs of families who have been historically underserved?

  • What barriers to family and community engagement exist in my school, and how am I removing them?

  • How do I use community partnerships to extend learning beyond the classroom?

  • Do our school events, communications, and systems reflect the diversity of the families we serve?

Quick Wins

  • Translate all communications into the major home languages spoken in your school community.

  • Host a welcome night or cultural celebration to invite and honor diverse families and community voices.

  • Add a “family engagement” agenda item to leadership and staff meetings.

  • Personally call families to share positive news about their child’s progress.

  • Highlight community partners in school newsletters and on social media to foster ongoing collaboration.

AI Prompts


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Tech Tips

  • Use survey tools (e.g., Google Forms, Qualtrics) to collect input from families in multiple languages.

  • Set up Remind or other messaging platform for two-way multilingual messaging.

  • Create a shared Google Calendar for community events and family engagement nights.

  • Leverage social media stories or reels to highlight student learning and community events.

  • Host hybrid family events (in-person and Zoom) to increase accessibility and attendance.

Examples of Proficient Behaviors

A proficient leader engages families and communities by building inclusive partnerships, ensuring two-way communication, and aligning family and community engagement efforts to student learning.

In practice, they:

  • Encourage ongoing, culturally responsive communication that invites feedback and input from all families.

  • Develop systems that make family engagement a consistent, embedded practice across classrooms and school events.

  • Prioritize outreach to historically underserved families by addressing access barriers (e.g., language, transportation, trust).

  • Create authentic opportunities for families and community partners to co-create school initiatives that support student success.

  • Promote a shared sense of ownership and pride among staff, students, families, and community members.

Possible Evidence to Collect

  • Family survey results or focus group feedback about school partnerships.

  • Agendas or sign-in sheets from family nights, home visits, or cultural celebrations.

  • Examples of multilingual communications or outreach efforts.

  • Documentation of partnerships with community organizations (e.g., MOUs, guest speaker lists).

  • Examples of outreach efforts such as home visits, phone call campaigns, or mobile office hours in the community.

  • Professional development agendas or slide decks focused on culturally responsive family engagement practices.

  • Family engagement plans or protocols that include strategies for reaching historically underserved populations.

  • Parent/community representation on school decision-making committees.

Continued Learning


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The AWSP Learning Lab is our online learning platform with various courses, live and asynchronous options. Check out what is available to support you learning.

Explore the Learning Lab


  • On the Same Team: Leaders & Families Building Community Partnerships – Ari Gerzon-Kessler
    Chronicles how schools can co-create partnerships with families by elevating trust, collaboration, and shared leadership to support student success.

  • Supporting Newcomer Students: Advocacy and Instruction for English Learners–Katharine Davies Samway and Lucinda Pease-Alvarez
    Offers actionable strategies for school leaders to engage and support multilingual families and immigrant communities. Focuses on culturally responsive communication, academic advocacy, and family-school partnerships that honor linguistic diversity.

  • The Educator’s Guide to LGBT+ Inclusion – Kryss Shane
    A practical, research-informed resource designed for K‑12 educators and administrators to cultivate safer, affirming school environments and deepen partnership with LGBTQ+ students and their families.

  • Wraparound Guide: How to Gather Student Voice, Build Community Partnerships, and Cultivate Hope – Leigh Colburn, Linda Beggs
    Provides actionable steps to build school-based services that support whole-child wellness and academic success.