Family engagement is key to building high-quality, inclusive school systems. It promotes a collaborative environment that values the diversity of families and supports a child-centered culture of learning. Strong partnerships between students, families, educators, and the community ensure shared responsibility for the growth and development of all students, from early childhood to young adulthood.

Building a strong connection between schools and families is essential for student achievement. This three-session professional development series empowers educators to create and sustain a multi-tiered family engagement approach. Participants will receive practical tools and strategies designed to improve family-school relationships and enhance student outcomes.

• Culturally responsive practices that honor diverse languages, norms, and values.
• Eliminating barriers to family participation and building stronger school-community partnerships.
• Creating thriving relationships in the school community that support student learning.

Each session follows a train-the-trainer model, providing participants with the tools to:

• Recognize the significant impact of family engagement on student success.
• Strengthen school and community partnerships.
• Integrate family engagement into everyday educational practices.

Participants will also create flexible and equitable action plans to address the diverse needs of families in their schools and communities.

K-12 educators and school leaders are welcome to join us! This series features a train-the-trainer model that prepares participants to support their peers. This method ensures that effective practices are shared across the educational community.

Click here to register for the series!

Introducing Vicki Rice

Vicki Rice is the Founder and Executive Director of the Coalition for Educational Partnership (CEP), an organization dedicated to helping all children reach their full potential and preparing them for college and career readiness. CEP's mission is to assist districts, schools, and families in refining their expectations and establishing a student-centered learning culture that promotes success for every student. Through school-community partnerships, Vicki has led efforts to improve learning opportunities for underrepresented students by supporting leadership development, mastering data analysis techniques, and evaluating the effectiveness of instructional programs. Her work emphasizes removing barriers to learning and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

For over 14 years, CEP has partnered with California GEAR UP to strengthen family and community engagement, helping schools support authentic involvement. Vicki and her team have developed curricula and provided technical assistance to schools, focusing on building sustainable partnerships among students, families, educators, and communities. Vicki also leads Leadership Network Services for GEAR UP and the California Academic Partnership Program (CAPP), supporting leadership development for current and aspiring educational leaders. Her work focuses on creating inclusive school cultures and addressing social justice and equity issues in education.

CEP’s services also extend to assisting Thomas Edison Charter Academy (TECA) in implementing effective literacy strategies and supporting English Language Learners. Additionally, Vicki collaborates with The Africa-America Institute (AAI), utilizing a train-the-trainer model to promote meaningful engagement in school reform and restructuring.

Up to 4.5 SCECHs (1.5 for each session) are available at no cost for participants of our "Building Bridges: Crafting an Inclusive Approach to Family Engagement" series. Learn more about SCECHs and our process on our SCECHs guide.

Please contact Jayme Lesperance, Manager of Educator Enrichment and Outreach, if you have any questions about this series.