Ultimately, when schools collaborate with families to help students learn, and when families participate in school activities and decision-making about their student’s education, children do better in school, and schools improve. Multiple studies show that a family’s engagement in their child’s education is critical in improving academic outcomes for their children. Students whose families and school staff work together to support learning earn higher grades and test scores, are more motivated, and are more likely to graduate and further their education. In addition, through authentic partnerships with parents and families, schools gain improved teacher morale, lower rates of teacher turnover, more support from families, higher student achievement, and a better reputation in the community.

Greater family engagement is needed in all regions of the state of West Virginia but not all schools have developed the capacity to meet that goal. Additionally, too few West Virginia families have exercised their ability to partner with schools to positively impact student achievement. The West Virginia Family Engagement Center believes that the responsibility for building positive productive relationships between school, home, and the community rests primarily with the school staff, especially school and county leaders, and with the West Virginia Department of Education.