Family Engagement for Schools and Districts

Family and community engagement plays a vital role in supporting student achievement and attendance. When schools and families work together, students are more likely to thrive. Effective partnerships are adaptable, child- and family-centered, and focused on collaboration. Using this strategic approach to family engagement, developed by the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center at The Ohio State University, helps to build and align those effective partnerships. This strategic approach lives within the Department’s iMTSS framework.

Clear and open communication is an additional component of strong partnerships, and having the right tools can make communication easier and more effective. To that end, the Department created conversation guides to help trusted adults engage students who may have attendance challenges. These grade-specific guides are designed to uncover the root causes of absences, and promote a strengths-based, supportive approach to building understanding and connection: 

• ​Grade K-5 students
• Grade 6-8 students
• Grade 9-12 students

The following pages include information schools can use to create effective family engagement plans that support learning, growth, and collaboration, as well as links to additional resources. 

• Framework for Building Partnerships Among Schools, Families, and Communities
• Ohio Student Voice Workgroup
• The Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center at The Ohio State University

Last Modified: 2/12/2026 4:34:41 PM

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