December 2024

As the year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the incredible progress made possible through partnerships with educators, families, and communities like yours. Together, we’ve worked to strengthen the vital connection between home and school, unlocking new opportunities for students to thrive.

Thank you for being a part of our journey at Family Engagement Lab. We hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season!

Warmly,

Vidya Sundaram and Elisabeth O’Bryon

Family Engagement Lab Co-Founders

2024 Highlights: Celebrating Progress and Partnerships  

This year has been filled with incredible milestones that reflect our shared commitment to driving student success through learning-focused family engagement. Here are some of the accomplishments we are celebrating: 

🎉 Recognition for FASTalk
FASTalk was featured on Evidence for ESSA as an impactful family engagement solution that accelerates learning gains for students.

🎙️ Thought Leadership
We’ve shared insights through articles, blogs, and podcasts in collaboration with esteemed organizations like Illustrative Mathematics and EdReports. Check out all of our press highlights here.

🗣️ Family and District Voices
Insights from families and district leaders across the country continue to shape and refine the design and direction of our work, helping us develop innovative solutions that meet community needs. 

🤝 Advancing Family Engagement in Louisiana
Through our partnership with the Center for Literacy and Learning and LSU, we’re strengthening family engagement efforts statewide as part of the Louisiana Statewide Family Engagement Center.

📈 New Resources for Engaging Families in Math
We developed FASTalk tips and activities aligned with IM 360 for Kindergarten-8th grade in collaboration with Illustrative Mathematics.

💡 Grateful for Our Funders
Our work is powered by the generous support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Schusterman Family Philanthropies, Heising-Simons Foundation, Voqal, Cambiar Thrive, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, I. A. O’Shaughnessy Foundation, Gary Community Ventures, and the Kenneth Rainin Foundation.

Reflections from the CA-FEN Conference

Vidya recently attended the California Family Engagement Network (CA-FEN)’s 2nd Annual Conference in Costa Mesa, CA. The CA-FEN network gathered to discuss priorities in advancing family engagement practices in teaching. Family Engagement Lab is excited to join the network members to advance this important mission across research, policy, and practice. A powerful session featured a teacher panel who shared how unprepared they are for conversations with families, and expressed an urgent need for more support.  

Pictured above:  Araceli Simeón, Executive Director, Parent Organization Network

EdWeek Article Features New Data on Parents' Participation in School Activities

In their December 4 article, “Language Barriers Keep Parents From Attending School Activities, New Data Show,” Education Week spotlighted a critical challenge faced by many families and schools: the impact of language barriers on parent participation in school activities.

Elisabeth is quoted in the article, highlighting that family engagement goes beyond participation in school-based activities. She shares strategies for overcoming  barriers, offering insights for fostering authentic partnerships with multilingual families—an invaluable asset to school communities. Her contributions provide both research-based solutions and examples of how schools can create inclusive environments that truly engage all families.

Save the Date

Megan Lorio will be presenting at the annual Plain Talk about Literacy and Learning literacy institute being held February 12-14 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She will be sharing how family engagement can meaningfully accelerate students' literacy development. Will you be there? Megan would love to connect! 

Support Family Engagement Lab this Holiday Season

No gift is too small and each gift can make a meaningful impact:

❤️ $15 helps 1 student reach grade-level proficiency

❤️ $150 can empower 10 students to reach grade-level proficiency

❤️ $1000 transforms a classroom with accelerated learning

Every donation fuels our mission to advance equitable educational outcomes by equipping families to support their child’s learning.  Together, we can bridge gaps, spark potential, and build brighter futures. Join us in making an impact!