Involvement vs. Engagement

President's Corner

What’s in a word? At a recent conference I attended, Karen Mapp, a senior lecturer on education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, effectively explained the difference between family involvement and family engagement.

Mapp, a former consultant on family engagement for the U.S. Department of Education, pointed out that being involved with someone is far different from being engaged with someone. Engagement denotes a commitment for now and a promise for the future that goes beyond a more casual involvement in the present.

Since the introduction of the Communities 4 Schools initiative almost a year ago, I’ve heard from numerous folks about their efforts to engage their community and highlight the positive things about their own school systems. I’m pleased to share some of those narratives with you this month, as well as efforts in my home state to promote true family engagement.

I Am a Tiger. Chilton, Wis., School District.

Superintendent Claire Martin described how her community had grown tired of the negative press about public education in their state so responded by creating a video that features moving testimonials from alumni sharing their pride and appreciation for the Chilton schools.

Martin said the video allows the district “to take a step back from our daily work, giving us the time and space to realize what an impact our local schools and community have had in our state, across our nation and even across the world.”

View the video, “I Am a Tiger,” at www.chilton.k12.wi.us.

Get Engaged. Pinellas County, Fla., Schools.

Pinellas County Schools leaders believe partnerships among families, community and schools are an absolute necessity for improving student learning and promoting successful schools. The district’s Office of Strategic Partnerships, Family and Community Relations provides information for anyone who wants to be engaged with the school district.

Visit http://pcsb.org/Page/434to see their strategies and opportunities.

Parent Series. Glenbard Township. Ill., High School District 87.

Superintendent David Larson described the district’s parenting series program, which highlights their efforts and commitment to engaging parents and the entire community.

The Glenbard Parent Series engages top experts to motivate parents and school staff to “facilitate real-world parenting skills that enhance our teens’ social and emotional development, encourage responsible decision making, and promote respect-based relationships keeping our adolescents safe.”

Visit www.glenbardgps.org to see their comprehensive program.

Go Public. San Antonio, Texas.

Proponents of charter schools were spreading negative information about the traditional public schools in the San Antonio area. Under such a cloud, it was hard to get struggling students excited about their school.

In response, 16 San Antonio-area school districts created the Go Public initiative, promoting the message that “School districts are the glue that binds communities together. From school boards elected by the community to businesses that donate, students are surrounded by a strong network of support.”

Learn more at www.wegopublic.com.

Friends of Texas Public Schools.

Friends of Texas Public Schools (www.fotps.org) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2004 “in response to the incessant, often mean-spirited criticism leveled against our public schools.” Members believe that school improvement “will happen faster and at even higher levels when we lift up educators and students through words of encouragement rather than criticism.”

Each day in our public schools is a day to celebrate. How do you engage your parents and community? Join the conversation on Twitter at #tellyourstory.