LEAs & School Systems
This section offers a comprehensive array of resources and tools tailored to aid and empower Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), including school districts, clusters of multiple campuses, and individual school sites.
Law & Statute
Videos
Videos to help you understand Law & Statute in education will be coming soon!
Toolkits & Handbooks
The PFE Toolkits are resources that provide guidance and support for educators in creating and strengthening partnerships that support student learning. Our Toolkits typically include a variety of resources, such as:
Self-assessment tools to help educators assess their current family engagement practices
Strategies and activities for engaging families in different aspects of their child's education
Communication tools to help educators communicate effectively with families
Resources for building relationships with families from diverse backgrounds
Check them out below!
Parent Liaison Description
Follow the link below to find out more about Parent Liaisons.
Promising Practices
Each year, the Parent and Family Engagement Statewide Initiative accepts applications from districts and/or schools who are implementing practices that yield high parent and family engagement. These practices are rated on:
the goal of the practice,
evidence of increased student outcomes, and
if all stakeholders are involved in the data collection, planning collaboration, and the evaluation processes.
Once the application window closes, all entries are reviewed by a committee, rated using a rubric, and then 3-4 of the top rated are selected as recipients at the Annual PFE Statewide Conference held each year in October. In addition to receiving the award, selected schools/districts are recognized on the PFE Statewide Initiative’s website and in our newsletter as well as invited to present their practice at the PFE conference.
Compliance in school refers to the adherence of schools and their staff to the laws and regulations that govern education.
Schools can promote compliance by developing and implementing clear policies and procedures. They should also provide regular training to staff on compliance requirements.
Read more about how your district can stay within compliance according to TEA regulations below.
Compliance Calendar
For all other information and resources on Law & Statute, visit our page below.
PFE Statewide Initiative Resources
The PFE Toolkits are resources that provide guidance and support for educators in creating and strengthening partnerships that support student learning. Our Toolkits typically include a variety of resources, such as:
Self-assessment tools to help educators assess their current family engagement practices
Strategies and activities for engaging families in different aspects of their child's education
Communication tools to help educators communicate effectively with families
Resources for building relationships with families from diverse backgrounds
Check them out below!
Title I, Part A Parent & Family Engagement Toolkits
PFE Building Capacity Toolkit
In today's rapidly changing educational landscape, schools are recognizing the critical importance of fostering strong partnerships between parents/guardians and educators. It is increasingly evident that when parents/guardians are actively engaged in their children's education, students thrive both academically and socially. To ensure the holistic development of students, schools must prioritize building the capacity of parents/guardians and establishing a robust school-home relationship.
PFE School-Parent Compact Toolkit
A school-parent compact serves as a written commitment that encompasses the collective responsibility of the school, the parent/guardian, and the student in facilitating a child's learning journey. This toolkit has been devised to assist in evaluating a school's adherence to legal obligations concerning School-Parent Compacts.
PFE Policy Toolkit
To assist Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and schools in developing successful Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) programs as well as meet federal and state requirements for Title I, Part A Parent and Family Engagement, the Title I, Part A Parent and Family Engagement Statewide Initiative, as part of the Texas Education Agency, has developed this Written Parent and Family Engagement Policy Toolkit. This toolkit is designed to assist in the planning and review of the Written Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) Policy.
PFE Evaluation Toolkit
Establishing and sustaining a respectful and trusting relationship focused on supporting and improving student achievement, healthy development, career readiness, and well-being requires commitment, dedication, and determination. The Parent and Family Statewide Initiative strives to help every school engage every parent. This toolkit will guide schools and LEAs through the evaluation process of their Parent & Family Engagement program, policy, and the school-parent compact.
PFE Annual Title I Meeting Toolkit
To ensure that schools meet federal and state requirements for Title I, Part A Parent and Family Engagement, the Parent and Family Engagement Statewide Initiative as part of the Texas Education Agency has developed this Title I, Part A Annual Meeting Toolkit. This toolkit is designed to assist in planning all components required for the Title I, Part A Annual Meeting.
Trainings/Professional Development
Customer Service
Customer service is an essential aspect of any successful organization, and schools are no exception. Just as businesses strive to create a positive customer experience for their patrons, schools should aim to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for their students, parents, and staff.
Effective customer service in schools encompasses a range of practices that contribute to a positive school climate and promote student success. Here are some key elements of exceptional customer service in the school setting.
Educator Training on Building Parent Relationships
This professional development training equips teachers across all grade levels with skills to value family contributions, communicate effectively, and work with families as equal partners. It provides practical strategies for implementing family programs and building strong school-family ties. Comprehensive speaker notes with suggestions support LEAs in carrying out this training.
Texas parents need their voices to be heard.
Parent Liaisons play a pivotal role in fostering strong partnerships between home, school, and the community. They serve as the voice of parents and families, ensuring their needs and concerns are heard and addressed. Parent Liaisons also work closely with school staff to promote effective communication, cultural understanding, and shared accountability for student achievement.
Example parent liaison job description provided below.
Outside Resources
Nationally Recognized Resources
Dual Capacity Framework
The Dual Capacity Framework (DCF) is a comprehensive framework for building strong partnerships between schools and families. It is based on the idea that both schools and families have important roles to play in supporting student success.
Steve Constantino’s 5 Principles for Effective Engagement
Leader, teacher, speaker and best-selling author Dr. Steve Constantino has a long and distinguished career in school, district and state and is considered one of the nation's leading authorities in the area of family and community engagement.
Steven Covey’s 7 Habits
Renowned as the world’s premier personal leadership development offering, the new 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Signature Edition 4.0 aligns timeless principles of effectiveness with modern technology and practices.
No matter how competent a person is they will not have sustained and lasting success, unless they are able to effectively lead themselves, influence, engage and collaborate with others and continuously improve and renew their capabilities. These elements are at the heart of personal, team and organizational effectiveness.
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Handouts
Combined Handouts
All Parts Combined Texas Workbook
Engage Every Family/Book Resources
Steven Constantino - Five Simple Principles Study Guide
Videos
Invisible Engagement: How to Build the Efficacy of Every Family
Making More Out of Technology Available to Us: Social Media as a Two-Way Communication Tool
Family Academic Socialization: What Does It Mean and Why Is It Now Important?
Stories from the Field: Successful Practice in Engaging Families During COVID19
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Texas Council on Family-School Engagement
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Family Engagement Supports Student Pathways to College and Career Success
Strategies to Engage With Families at Your School
Family Engagement is Essential in Early Childhood Education
Family Engagement Supports Educators and Promotes Student Success
Family Engagement Supports Student Pathways to College and Career Success