Family, School, and Community Partnerships

Family, School and Community Partnering Logo

Component Definition:

Families, early-childhood programs, schools, and communities actively partnering to develop, implement, and evaluate effective and equitable practices to improve educational outcomes for children and youth.

Practice Profile

The five COMTSS core components are the foundation and the underlying philosophy of the Practice Profiles. The COMTSS Practice Profiles were developed to specify exemplary strategies that district and school implementation teams can use to support effective and sustainable use of the COMTSS framework as intended. These profiles guide and inform the development and/or refinement of the necessary supports and resources for the COMTSS implementation, such as professional learning, coaching, identification of fidelity measures, a state-level evaluation plan, and necessary changes in procedures and policy.

Consideration to Desired Outcomes

Family, school, and community partnerships (FSCP) positively impact academic and behavioral student outcomes (earn higher grades or test scores, graduate from high school and attend post-secondary education, develop self-confidence and motivation in the classroom, have better social skills and classroom behavior).

District Expected Use in Practice

3.1: The COMTSS District Implementation Team guides FSCP implementation by completing the FSCP Self-Assessment Rubric User’s Guide and includes high impact FSCP strategies in the district’s Unified Improvement Plan or strategic plan.

3.2: The COMTSS District Implementation Team provides guidance to schools about resources for high-quality professional learning in effective FSCP practices.

3.3: The COMTSS district decision-making teams utilize multiple means for two-way communication with families to create an inclusive culture.

3.4: The COMTSS District Implementation Team designs capacity-building opportunities for families to lead and participate in district planning, school improvement strategies, academic, social, and community events to inform the district’s family engagement policy.

3.5: The COMTSS District Implementation Team has a process to inform learners and families about assessments and their purposes, frequencies, dates, and outcomes, and how to interpret results.

School Expected Use in Practice

3.1: The COMTSS School Implementation Team includes high impact FSCP strategies in the school’s Unified Improvement Plan or strategic plan.

3.2: The COMTSS School Implementation Team provides dedicated time and resources for high-quality professional learning in effective FSCP practices.

3.3: The COMTSS school decision-making teams practice high impact strategies for staff to build trusting relationships with learners and families and embed family voice and shared leadership throughout the system.

3.4: The COMTSS School Implementation Team designates a family engagement lead that provides capacity-building opportunities for families to be active partners in school.

3.5: The COMTSS School Implementation Team prioritizes shared responsibility with families in data-based problem-solving and decision-making at all levels.