As we begin a new year, the need for equity-driven educational solutions remains critical. At a time when programs designed to support our most vulnerable students face uncertainty, it is more important than ever to invest in approaches that help every child succeed. Teachers and families are two of the most powerful influences on student learning, and by working together, we can ensure that all students—especially those who need extra support—have access to the opportunities they deserve.

We remain committed to developing solutions that bridge the gap between home and school, ensuring that every child builds a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.

With appreciation for your partnership,

Vidya Sundaram and Elisabeth O'Bryon

Family Engagement Lab Co-Founders

New research reveals alignment in family engagement priorities across education stakeholders  

Our latest research uncovers compelling insights into how teachers, families, and districts view family engagement solutions, highlighting a shared commitment to supporting students by strengthening connections around learning.

The research highlights:

Districts are Investing in Equity, Accessibility, and Impact

Districts increasingly view family engagement as a strategic lever for addressing equity gaps and improving academic outcomes, particularly for low-income and English Learner students. As one district leader noted, these solutions are especially valuable because they empower families "that do not speak English to use them." Districts are willing to invest in solutions that deliver measurable results, with one leader emphasizing, "If I don't have the metrics, I can't justify spending on it."

Teachers Need Efficient, Time-Saving Tools

With heavy workloads and limited time, teachers feel they don't have enough time in the school day to help fill learning gaps and provide sufficient math practice for all students. Teachers are seeking solutions that integrate seamlessly into their existing workflows. As one teacher shared, "if you know how to use tools to your advantage, they save you a lot of grunt work." While families are highly invested in supporting their child’s academic success, they also face time constraints as they balance a range of demands. The research suggests optimal family engagement to fill learning gaps happens with 2-3 communications per week, balancing the need for consistent engagement with concerns about message fatigue.

Families Want Concrete Support

Parents and caregivers consistently express a desire to support their children's learning but need specific guidance and accessible resources. While some parents express math anxiety or feel certain subjects are "over their heads," they remain eager to help. As one participant noted, "Parents want and desire resources to know how they can support their children."

Implications for the Field

This research underscores the importance of developing solutions that:

• Address equity gaps through accessible, multilingual content
• Provide measurable impact data to justify investment
• Integrate with existing platforms for data and communication
• Offer concrete, actionable support for families

Successful learning solutions must balance the efficiency needs of educators with the support needs of families, while delivering measurable impact that districts can track and evaluate.

These insights are particularly relevant as schools leverage federal, state, and local funding sources to invest in family engagement solutions that can drive meaningful improvements in student outcomes.

As we continue to listen and learn, can you help us recruit K-2 teachers and school leaders for brief interviews?

What we're reading

• A little parent math talk with kids might really add up - The Hechinger Report. You’ll find key takeaways from an analysis of 22 studies, including:
  • Parent math talk is linked with higher math skills
  • Keep it natural
  • Quality may matter more than quantity
• Be sure to check out resources from the Math Narrative Project. Vidya and Elisabeth recently participated in a convening focused on how student-, teacher-, and family-facing organizations can apply insights from the Math Narrative Project. Check out their site to learn more about how students feel about learning math, and how adults can help them persist when learning math feels hard.

Where we'll be

• California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators Conference
  • Vidya and Hannah will be attending the aPODERar Symposium in Burlingame, CA on Thursday, February 6 to discuss approaches to supporting elementary math instruction through family engagement.

• Plain Talk about Literacy and Learning
• Managing Editor, Megan Lorio will be presenting at the upcoming literacy institute being held February 12-14 in New Orleans, LA. She’ll be shining a spotlight on families’ critical role in supporting students’ literacy success. 

• Transforming Family-School Partnerships Webinar
  
  • On Wednesday, February 19 at 2 p.m. EDT, Vidya will be a featured panelist as part of the Transforming Family-School Partnerships with PTA's National Standards Webinar.
  • Join the webinar to discover best practices for building partnerships with evidence-based family engagement programs, PTAs and parent groups and others to strengthen family engagement capacity in your schools and districts. Register now.